By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Jinkee Pacquiao, the charming wife of pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao is proving to be a major asset in the boxing hero’s campaign for a congressional seat representing Sarangani in the May 10 elections.
On the ground reports from the province which is the birth place of Jinkee say she continues to campaign separately for her husband and it is paying off, even as Pacquiao himself hits the campaign trail relentlessly, just as when he trains for a big fight.
Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz told BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that the latest polls show Pacquiao ahead against his rival Roy Chiongbian of the rich and powerful Chiongbian family which has dominated politics in Sarangani for decades.
Koncz said he told Pacquiao to continue to fight as though he was the underdog and not to rely on surveys. Koncz said Pacquiao “looks very tired” because of the rigorous demands of the political campaign but wakes up each morning and hits the road saying he wants to help bring about change and progress.
He said boxing is not on the mind of “The Fighter of the Decade” and all he wants to do is to get a chance to represent his constituents in the House of Representatives and to help the poor which has been a dream of Pacquiao for the past ten years when he told the late father-figure, mentor and business manager Rod Nazario and this reporter that he wanted to enter public service to be able to help his poor countrymen.
