Pacman continues to draw huge crowds

GLAN, Sarangani , Philippines  – World boxing champion and congressional aspirant Manny Pacquiao continues to draw huge crowds in his campaign sorties, despite the rains that seem to follow his every step since the hustings officially kicked off on March 26.

A cloudburst drenched to the bone, some 10,000 supporters turned up for the proclamation rally of the People’s Champ Movement (PCM) here on Wednesday night.

The crowd held out and stood in the downpour to listen to Pacquiao lay out his program to bring development and prosperity to the resource-rich but impoverished province of Sarangani.

“I said it before, I will say it again. Elect me your congressman and I promise you genuine development and lasting peace and prosperity,” he said in Cebuano.

Pacquiao has maintained a non-combative stance in his campaign speeches, eschewing the personal attacks and acrimonious exchanges typical of local politics, and preferring to appeal to the people’s growing clamor for change.

“We candidates need not quarrel among ourselves. Let’s just present our program and let the people decide,” he added.

Local PCM bets vowed to institute fiscal and tax reforms to ensure transparency in government transactions and to bring down tax rates to help perk up business and attract more investments, particularly in tourism, to this town, a major coconut producer which also boasts of Boracay-like white beaches.  

“We will carry out a well-balanced development plan that will be progressive but will give preferential treatment to the poor,” said Board Member and PCM mayoral bet Victor James ”Tata” Yap.

Earlier, in Malapatan town, where it also rained all day, Pacquiao wowed the local folk with the signature PCM battle cry, “Para sa ‘Yo (Ang Labang ito),” and a hilarious duet with legendary Cebuano novelty singer Max Surban.

Police estimated the crowd at 5,000.

“We simply love Manny. He’s amazing. He’s the leader we have been waiting for,” said Mon Singcoy, 30, son of the late mayor Aida Singcoy and former mayor Alfonso Singcoy, who is making a comeback as PCM standard-bearer.

The young Singcoy predicted a landslide win not only for Pacquiao, but also for the PCM provincial and municipal tickets, led by gubernatorial candidate Juan Domino and running mate, former provincial administrator Fred Basino.