“IT’S probably the first time in his life that Pacquiao has lost this publicly,” said a friend of mine.
“Don’t tell me you’re feeling sorry for him,” said someone else.
“I am. Pacquiao’s always been the hero, the winner, the idolized. Losing to a girl whom almost no one out of Gen San knew, until she became the person running against him, must hurt,” said my friend.
THE SPOTLIGHT may be on Manny Pacquiao, but other sports stars are also running for public office in the May elections, including Yeng Guiao and Jerry Codiñera.
Here’s an excerpt from the Philippine Daily Inquirer article:
Even Jerry Codiñera, named one of the 25 All-Time Best Players in the pro league, has joined the political fray as a nominee of Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA), a party-list group that advocates sports development and the welfare of national athletes.
“Honestly, many politicians have invited me way back,” Codiñera says. “But when a friend conceptualized putting up a party-list for athletes, I could not say no. I have relatives and friends who don’t like the idea. But it’s for the welfare of the athletes. I don’t want to think it’s [just for] politics.”
BOXING champ Manny Pacquiao is a hero to many Filipinos, but he also now happens to be a candidate.
Which is why the promotion of his upcoming bout with Mexican pugilist Jorge Solis is being cited as an “undue advantage” over opponent Darlene Antonino-Custodio.
Here’s an excerpt from INQUIRER.net reporter Erwin Oliva’s Breaking News story, in which an election lawyer said Pacquiao’s ads should only be banned in the district where he is running:
I WOULD like to propose a debate between Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio and Manny Pacquiao on all issues: ranging from the economy to issues regarding overseas Filipino workers, etc.
And then they could talk to the people of General Santos City about their own platforms.
To run for office without direction “ay parang manok na pinugutan ng ulo (is like being a decapitated chicken).”
– DANTE FARAGAS, San Jose, California (via e-mail)
