Escudero to Palace: Don’t use Pacquiao in politics

The leader of the opposition in the House of Representatives urged Malacañang officials yesterday not to use boxing champion Manny Pacquiao in politics.

"The Palace, or any politician for that matter, should not take advantage of Pacman’s victory and popularity and use him in politics. Nor should Pacman allow himself to be used by the Palace," Minority Leader Francis Escudero told a news conference.

"There are rare things in this world that should not be tainted by politics, and one of them is Manny Pacquiao’s victory, behind which we Filipinos, regardless of social status or political affiliation, all rallied. It should remain that way," he said.

Escudero was reacting to the statement of a Palace official that the boxing champion would be asked to endorse the administration’s senatorial candidates in the May 2007 elections.

There are also plans by some Manila officials to parade Pacquiao around town when he returns to the country.

Escudero said it is unfortunate that some politicians are inclined to ride on Pacquiao’s triumph for their own benefit.

The opposition, howwever, is not worried if Pacquiao allows himself to be used by politicians.

"We believe that Manny Pacquiao’s popularity will not rub on unpopular candidates. It’s not as if it’s Manny who’s running. Popularity is not transferable," he added.

He also said it is unlikely that the administration and the opposition would field a "unity" ticket in the senatorial election in May as suggested by Mike Defensor, President Arroyo’s chief of staff.

"There are so many candidates who want to run under either the administration or opposition ticket. The sheer number of candidates make it difficult for the two sides to come up with a ticket composed of six from each side," the opposition leader said.

He added that from the opposition alone, there are definitely more than 12 candidates aspiring to have slots in its senatorial slate.

Escudero is one of those candidates. Another is Deputy Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano. Both fared well in the latest surveys, besting incumbent senators seeking a new term in 2007.

Besides, Escudero said, the administration and the opposition have opposite roles and it may not be good to fuse them under one roof.