PACQUIAO IS THE GOOD SIDE OF THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 10 May 2010
GENERAL SANTOS CITY-- - Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao is, without a shadow of doubt, the one individual who has redeemed respect and recognition of the Philippines by his incredible exploits in the ring and his unbelievable humility outside, in the midst of his wealth and the people?s adulation.
The presence in Sarangani of some of the most distinguished journalists from the US, Britain and several other countries who chronicle the story of Pacquiao?s emergence as a modern-day Robin Hood committed to help the poor beginning in this vast area of Mindanao waiting for its riches to be harnessed, is a fascinating story that has thankfully helped keep the sordid side of Philippine politics in the background.
Television crews from home and abroad have flown into Sarangani to capture the story of Pacquiao? second determined effort to enter Congress and keep faith with the promise he made some ten years ago to his mentor, father-figure and business manager, the late Rod Nazario and this reporter that he wanted to enter public service so he could help the poor people of his region and then the rest of the country.
That seems to jibe with what his longtime childhood friend and trainer Restituto ?Buboy? Fernandez believes, and that is a victory by Pacquiao in Monday?s congressional race against the 60 year old Roy Chiongbian will break the Chiongbian dynasty?s hold on the province and kick-start a future run for the presidency.
There are those who simply adore Pacquiao and believe in him who point out that nobody ever dreamed he would win seven world titles in seven weight divisions and if he could achieve that record why can?t he become president. It isn?t by any stretch of the imagination the same thing but if it demands courage, determination, training and commitment and battering an opponent and perhaps even spilling some blood along the way, Pacquiao may well be equal to the task. Not much difference between the boxing ring and the Philippine political circus.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum who is here to provide Pacquiao with his clearly welcome moral support has it all figured out. Arum, seated around after a sumptuous dinner hosted by respected businessman-sportsman and longtime friend of Pacquiao, Rey Golingan, broke down the key areas and the percentage of votes that would go to Manny much like trainer Freddie Roach would break down a Pacquiao opponent and boldly predicted Pacquiao will win by a landslide.
But there are others who believe it won?t be that easy and that Pacquiao is facing the fight of his life against an entrenched political family with the connections and the organization to deliver the votes in a crunch.
Golingan who goes to Las Vegas to watch all Manny?s fights and has been close to him since Manny was a kid and has even built a gym dedicated to ?The People?s Champ? told us ?if it was hard the last time (against incumbent Darlene Antonino in General Santos City) it's much harder this time.?
In a pragmatic analysis Golingan noted that Chiongbian, Alcantara and governor Migs Dominguez combined is a very powerful group. They employ large numbers of residents? which he estimated at around 5,000.
Golingan said ?if you base the results on the crowds at the rallies then Manny will win. Manny?s rallies were always crowded last time but look what happened because as we?ve said popularity cannot be converted into votes.?
No question the crowds at Pacquiao?s rallies and the enthusiasm with which he and his message are received far outnumber and outshine Chiongbian but we?ve always learned that translating crowds into votes takes some doing and whether Manny has the men and the organization to get it done is open to question.
Having seen the burning desire in Pacquiao to win this one, we share the concern of individuals like his adviser Michael Koncz on how a second defeat at the polls would affect Pacquiao.
The sad thing about defeat is that then the finger-pointing begins and is that should ever happen then the fingers on both hands may not be enough to do the pointing.
Top photo: Filipino boxing great Manny Pacquiao is mobbed by supporters during his campaign sortie at Alabel township, Sarangani province in southern Philippines on Tuesday April 20, 2010. Pacquiao, the world's best pound-for-pound boxer, is trying to translate his enormous appeal into votes by running for a congressional seat this time in his home province of Sarangani, his second time to do so. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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