As a Filipino I would like to share my view on Manny Pacquiao. I won't dwell on his boxing skills nor about him facing Floyd Mayweather. I want to share my view about his political career. I guess I can say that I have a common opinion about him along with millions of Filipinos.
Manny Pacquiao ran for the congressional seat for South Cotabato 1st District for the May 2007 elections but lost to Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio. I remember watching one of his interviews on our local channels here. He was asked 'why did he want to enter the world of politics?'. To which he replied that it was in his heart that he truly wanted to help the Filipino people specially the less-fortunate. I remember him saying that he has thought of it a lot of times but he always thought and felt that in his heart he truly wanted to be able to help others. I also remember his mother, Dionisia, trying to stop him from entering the dirty world of Philippine Politics the same way she always encouraged him to leave boxing.
My thoughts about Manny that time was that this guy was genuine. I felt that he did really have it in his heart to help the poor people in our country. But the main concern of the voters was that what did he know about governance, even politics? He may have it in his heart to serve but heart alone is not enough to battle the world of corruption. He could hardly speak and read english when most of the documents are written in english. So the Filipino voters felt Manny's desire to help was sincere but were scared that he just might turn out to be someone's puppet in that office. So he lost. To a woman. A woman who doesn't have a very clean track record in terms of no involvement to corruption.
Now for the May 2010 elections he wants to run for the congressional seat of the Sarangani province. He was told by the current president, Gloria Arroyo, that he will run un-contested since the president promised she would prevent Chongbian from running for the same office. But Chongbian disregarded the president's admonition and still filed for candidacy to contest Manny Pacquiao for the said office.
First of all, why would the politicians here want Pacquiao to be involved in politics? If you have seen his fights, you would notice that he is always accompanied by rotten politicians like Gov. Chavit Singson and even the vice-president Noli de Castro. In HBO's 24/7, we have seen the 2010 presidential aspirant, Manny Villar, went to his training camp without notice and just distracted him! Unbelievable! These rotten politicians want a piece of Manny Pacquiao or want to be associated with him to gain more votes from the people. Can you see what politics is like here in the Philippines?
Anyway, after all these, I'm just glad to hear that Manny didn't join any of those rotten politicians political parties. Instead he joined a different party, the "Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta" or PBA, and stood as its chairman. Their main advocacy is to support the Philippine athletes - which makes sense in my opinion.
So, I'm not sure if he will win this coming election since I am not from Sarangani even though my father is. Anyway, if he will win, I just hope he will show the same dedication he has or had in boxing to fighting corruption and implementing good governance. He must stay away from those 'TRAPOS' or Traditional Politicians! He must shun them! Or else - like the dialog from Batman, "either you die a hero or live long enough to be a villain".
In my opinion, and I think it's very obvious, there is absolutely no relation between his popularity in boxing and an office in the government. But the Philippine nation is in great need of leaders who truly and genuinely want to do the right thing.
I have my faith in that guy. I have faith that he will not forget where he came from. That he will not forget the walk of life of his parents and his family before he became a boxer. That he will not forget how hard life was before he became famous.
I sincerely beleive that Pacman has good intentions in serving his people. Let's give him a chance and not underestimate his abilities. We all know what happened to his opponent's in the ring that underestimated him.
No doubt Pac is sincere. But He need to start cleaning up his own house first!!! Start with his entourage. He needs to get rid of Koncs. Then he needs to stay away from the Crooked Politicians. Pac doesn't need singson & GMA. He can win by his name alone. He's loosing in politics because of his attachment to these crooks.
i sincerely believe this belong to the lounge...anyway IMO pac can do anything he wants but for me the singing, movies and politics is just a waste of time..if he want to help he just need to invest in the P.I. and provide jobs...and live a happy life..
I sincerely beleive that Pacman has good intentions in serving his people. Let's give him a chance and not underestimate his abilities. We all know what happened to his opponent's in the ring that underestimated him.
Some notable people around Manny pacquiao..
Luis Singson - Former Governor of Ilocos Sur, Deputy National Security Adviser. A traitor to former closest ally Former President Joseph Estrada.
Evelio Leonardia - Mayor of Bacolod City and as a Bacolodnon, I know 98% bout him since 1990s when I was in College. A traitor to former ally "The Montelibanos"
So Pacquiao is sorrounded by traitors
If Pacquiao wanted to help people, he can do the following.
Set-up his own foundation (NGO) and concentrate on it. help most Filipino kids and build a boxing foundation.
There is nothing in pacquiao's mind that he wanted to help.. All he want is more popularity and he is on the wrong way... He will only become unpopular by becoming an unexperienced and ill Politician...
If he want to be more popular, joing NGO and focusing on it is the best way.
Pacquiao can never win a CNN Heroes, Nobel Peace Prize, Magsaysay Award, or any other pretigious awards by becoming a Congressman... but but focusing on NGO, any of the above awards mentioned is possible...
Additionally, Chongbian is a successful Businessman and knows how to manage everything and I hope he beat Pacquiao... Pacquiao has no place in dirty Politics..
I agree with your post about Manny not being knowledgeable about the policies, etc.
Here is my thing, and it's not to insult manny: manny is a guy who is poorly educated, and has not had a real good track record of telling people "no". Just a couple of years ago, Manny accepted a briefcase full of cash in the back of a limousine from Oscar Delahoya when he was already under contract. That doesn't signal "political reformer" to me.
Rather than enter politics directly, I would prefer to see Manny get deeply involved in a NGO. He can leverage his popularity all across Asia and he would be much less limited.
As a congressman, he has one vote. Out of 250. Or whatever. As the head of a NGO, he can make more of an impact on the whole country...and not be restricted by the rules of the parliamentary body...and not have a voting constituency to pander to.
I have to agree with you!!!
As you know I'm all for Pac if we are talking about boxing. I believe he's the best Boxer that ever lived.
But I don't like Politics for him. As you said, He doesn't know how to say no!!! Politics in the Phil are full of Crocs & Crooks. Unfortunately Pac Picks these Crook & Crocs of Politics on his side.
Chavit The wife beater & Gambling lord on his side all the time. After Chavit wife beating, how come he still on Pac side. Can Pac say no to this Criminal??
The President Macapagal were already Caught with Garci tape, Allegation left & right of Corruption on her administration. Can Pac stay away from her???
The Marcoses were all convicted by History. Can Pac stay away from them. Can Pac Picks the good & dump the Bad apples???
Being an Athlete, A Fighter, a Politician, a Leader are all required different kind of skills. Pac is a good follower, he obey the laws, he listens but the problem... He can't say no. He can't kick out the Bad elements even with his entourage alone.
Pac will be a good community leader in a small community. But I don't think he can handle the crooks of big time politics. He needs to show his KO POwer in Politics first!! KO the Bad Apples Pac and I will give you my vote!!!
i'll say it.
pacman 777 is the chinese looking guy who always tries to get in every camera shot inside the ring.
"the national shadow"?
of
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc223/tibbarphotos/pacquiaox.jpg Congressman Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao?
To be honest, if I lived in an area where PacMan ran for office - I wouldn't vote for him.
Couple of reasons..
1) He doesn't have the necessary experience. His experience as a professional athlete is orthogonal to the requirements for being a leader.
2) He hired a dick-wad as an advisor (Mike Koncz) - would you really want a weasel guy like that affiliated to you? PacMan needs to learn the skill of firing leeches.
3) He hangs out with criminals (Chavit Singson).
4) He has a big entourage
Agree with you on all three.
No. 4 i don't get it and also you said a 'couple of reasons' only but you listed four.
I agree with your post about Manny not being knowledgeable about the policies, etc.
Here is my thing, and it's not to insult manny: manny is a guy who is poorly educated, and has not had a real good track record of telling people "no". Just a couple of years ago, Manny accepted a briefcase full of cash in the back of a limousine from Oscar Delahoya when he was already under contract. That doesn't signal "political reformer" to me.
Rather than enter politics directly, I would prefer to see Manny get deeply involved in a NGO. He can leverage his popularity all across Asia and he would be much less limited.
As a congressman, he has one vote. Out of 250. Or whatever. As the head of a NGO, he can make more of an impact on the whole country...and not be restricted by the rules of the parliamentary body...and not have a voting constituency to pander to.
Damn, i never thought i would enjoy reading a post from you since this one.
Would like to green K you but the button disagree, wouldn't click.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Manny will step into that realm with the best of intentions, but the world of politics is that of manipulation and malice.
Looking at his entourage you can see he's too trusting and too loyal. Unless he'll have some close like-minded advisors, they will just put the strings around his arms and use him.
Does anyone else notice the usual people that crowds Pacquiao in the ring? To be honest, they look like mob bosses, drug lords and kingpins. If Pac wins, I'm sure they'll be tagging along.
most of those guys are already politicians.
aside from pac's team most of those guys who get in the ring with him are like politicians and stuff.
Does anyone else notice the usual people that crowds Pacquiao in the ring? To be honest, they look like mob bosses, drug lords and kingpins. If Pac wins, I'm sure they'll be tagging along.
one of those dudes posts in the pinoy lounge here...not allowed to say who but he does
i'll say it.
pacman 777 is the chinese looking guy who always tries to get in every camera shot inside the ring.
I read that shit too, in like 2 seconds. I dont get why people think its takes so long to read something, (even though I myself rarely reads something long either)
sorry i stopped after "i don't get".
i'll reply to your post later when i finish reading it.
To be honest, if I lived in an area where PacMan ran for office - I wouldn't vote for him.
Couple of reasons..
1) He doesn't have the necessary experience. His experience as a professional athlete is orthogonal to the requirements for being a leader.
2) He hired a dick-wad as an advisor (Mike Koncz) - would you really want a weasel guy like that affiliated to you? PacMan needs to learn the skill of firing leeches.
3) He hangs out with criminals (Chavit Singson).
4) He has a big entourage
holy crap.
DLT has a filipino cousin.
I read that shit too, in like 2 seconds. I dont get why people think its takes so long to read something, (even though I myself rarely reads something long either)
This has been my opinion regarding manny's political career since his first attempt...IMO, I think he's really sincere in trying to help his countrymen....I actually want him to win this coming election....
16y ago
A Filipino's View on Manny Pacquiao | BoxingScene Community