PACQUIAO WON?T RUN IN MAY ELECTIONS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 26 Feb 2007
Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao has decided to heed the clamor of millions of his countrymen and will not run for the congressional seat of South Cotabato in the May elections but instead will concentrate on his boxing career.
Manila Mayor Lito Atienza visited Cebu along with well-known election lawyer Romulo Macalintal and his consistent efforts to convince Pacquiao not to run at this time obviously paid off.
Pacquiao?s close friend and confidant Rex ?Wakee? Salud claimed that even Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena when asked for his advice about Pacquiao?s political plans said ?he can run in the next elections not now.? Salud said he asked Osmena for his advice in front of Pacquiao.
Salud said he was elated that Pacquiao had listened to the advice of well-meaning friends who genuinely cared for him. Salud said that Atienza who has been a longtime supporter of Pacquiao was the one person next to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who could convince him not to run. Salud said fight fans who booed Pacquiao when he entered the Cebu City Sports Complex on Saturday to watch the ?Moment of Truth? fight card did so purely because of his decision to enter politics because as a fighter they respect and love him even as he conceded it may have helped clinch his decision not to run.
Atty. Macalintal told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that he had been asked to be an adviser on political affairs and had been authorized by Pacquiao to announce his decision and explain his change of heart especially to the people who were upset by his planned entry into politics. Macalintal quoted Pacquiao as saying ?I promise I will concentrate now on my training because I know I am carrying the name of our country and the hopes and prayers of our people. I have to respect their wishes and their dreams that I should not risk my career because of politics.?
Macalintal said Pacquiao was ?hoping that the same prayers, the same wishes will be with him when he leaves for Los Angeles to continue his training an on to the fight in Texas.? Pacquiao is scheduled to battle undefeated but comparatively unknown Mexican Jorge Solis on April 14 at the Alamadome in San Antonio, Texas. Golden Boy Promotions vice president Eric Gomez who was warmly greeted by Pacquiao at the ?Moment of Truth? fight card in Cebu City last Saturday cautioned that while Pacquiao would beat Solis the 5?10? Mexican with a long reach and an effective jab could pose some problems.
Mayor Atienza who was wrongly thought of as being one of those prodding Pacquiao to enter politics proved his critics wrong by his consistent efforts to stop him from running in May. In order to bolster his stand he had the respected election lawyer Macalintal accompany him to Cebu to convince Pacquiao.
Pacquiao conceded this was not the time to discuss politics and that there was ?a proper time to think about politics. Now is the time to discuss boxing.? However, Pacquiao indicated he will continue to support some candidates he feels should be supported. Pacquiao said he was saddened by the fact that there were supporters who were hurt because of his plans to enter politics and asked for an apology adding that he felt even more that the fans really love him very much.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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