POLITICS AND SPORTS
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 19 May 2013
Sports always play an important role in a government's program of development. It has often been associated with youth empowerment, healthy lifestyle and physical fitness. Sports tourism also contributes to the economic progress of an area.
Sports celebrities became politicians and the most popular among them is Manny Pacquiao. Running unopposed as Representative of the lone district of Saranggani, he also lured successfully the voters of the province to vote for his wife Jinkee as vice governor.
At the height of his popularity as a basketball icon, Robert Jaworski became senator of the republic without roaming the whole country. His son Dudot also a former PBA player, became a congressman of Pasig.
Other basketball players turned senators were Ambrosio Padilla, 1936 Berlin Olympian, and Freddie Webb, former MICAA and PBA superstar.
PBA coach Yeng Guiao is a three-term vice governor of Pampanga and is now a congressman-elect of the said province.
Governor LRay Villafuerte developed the CamSur Watersports Complex in Pili, Camarines Sur to promote his passion for wakeboarding and used it as a catalyst in making his province a tourism hub. His son Migz become his successor and recently got elected as the youngest governor of the country.
Manny Pinol became mayor and governor of Cotabato. He himself was a popular boxing commentator, writer, promoter, and manager.
At the height of the Marcos regime, Danding Cojuangco was the godfather of basketball and other sports and his family became active in politics even after the EDSA revolution.
Monico Puentevella was congressman of Bacolod City and was a commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission. He recently won as city mayor of Bacolod.
Simeon Toribio, the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics bronze medalist in high jump, served as Congressman of Bohol.
During the Cory presidency it was the turn of Peping Cojuangco to shine in politics. He became congressman of Tarlac and his wife Tingting became the governor. Peping is now in his third term as president of the Philippine Olympic Committee. Daughter Mikee is an Asian Games gold medalist in equestrian.
PBA player Franz Pumaren was a three-term councilor of Quezon City. Another famous professional cager Tito Varela was a three-term Vice Mayor of Caloocan. Crispa standout Philip Cezar was three-term vice mayor of San Juan. Ginebra player Joey Marquez was three-term mayor of Paranaque City.
President Ferdinand Marcos was known as a sports buff and likewise his cousin President Fidel Ramos. President Noynoy Aquino chose shooting as his favorite pastime. Vice President Jojo Binay is a physical fitness and health aficionado.
Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) became a party list with the athletes as the main beneficiary of their programs. Pacquiao was the main endorser during their political campaign.
Reelected Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama is a running and basketball bug. Reelected Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez is a jet ski enthusiast.
Former governor and incumbent congressman Raul Daza of Northern Samar has long been Vice President of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP). Former Manila Mayor Mel Lopez was ABAP president for several years.
Gullas brothers, congressmen Eddie and Dodong, were basketball players and for many years built the University of the Visayas Green Lancers dynasty in Cebu collegiate league.
Monsour del Rosario, former taekwondo Olympian, is winning a council seat in Makati. Former PBA player and commentator Jason Webb leads in the city council seat in Paranaque.
Multi-titled basketball coach Yayoy Alcoseba is an incumbent councilor of Cebu City.
With Sports Excellence as part of my 13 Point Agenda, I got reelected last May 13 with a margin of 16,202 votes over my opponent. I thank the people of Maasin City, Southern Leyte for giving me a fresh mandate for my third and last term as City Mayor.
Political analyst Ramon Casiple said that sportsmen turned politicians usually makes better public servants than showbiz counterparts. The discipline they had in sports makes them physically fit to face the rigors of public service, added Casiple.
Photo: Mayor Samaco (L) and Donnie Nietes.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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