Manny’s biggest fight

Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has decided to run for a congressional seat in the May 14 national polls and faces a formidable foe in reelectionist Darlene Antonino Custodio.

Pacquiao, 28, says he wants to give back to General Santos City and the towns of Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan which comprise South Cotabato’s first district. His action plan is centered on promoting jobs, education and affordable medicine for the poor.

But it won’t be easy trying to convince an electorate to thumb down Custodio, a youthful and outspoken oppositionist who’s seeking a third consecutive term. She’s 33, charming, intelligent and backed up by an influential political family. Her father Adel was once a congressman and former General Santos City mayor while her mother Lualhati served three straight terms in the Lower House.

Election watchers are convinced it will be Pacquiao’s biggest fight ever. Custodio isn’t a Marco Antonio Barrera or an Erik Morales who both crumbled under the fury of Pacquiao’s fists in the ring. She’s a savvy politician who knows what it takes to bring in the votes.

Pacquiao, however, is banking on his popularity and reputation as generous, kind-hearted and hardworking national hero.

As a fighter, Pacquiao has no equal in the world, pound for pound. Experts are hailing Pacquiao as the nonpareil – more exciting, more explosive and more charismatic than Floyd Mayweather who used to be considered the world’s No. 1 fighter before the Filipino’s emergence as a global phenom.

At least two of Pacquiao’s closest boxing advisers tried desperately to talk him out of running.

"I told Manny as a fighter, the entire country is with him but as a politician, he will have enemies," said an adviser. "There will be time for politics later in his life. He’s still young. He should concentrate on his boxing career while he’s at his peak, earn more millions then decide what to do after he retires."

Another adviser begged for Pacquiao to postpone his entry into politics.

"He can still achieve so much as a fighter," the adviser said. "The door is wide open for Manny. There’s no need to rush into politics. It will be there waiting for him when the time comes but now is not yet the time."

Pacquiao listened to his closest advisers then made up his mind. He is determined to serve the first district now even at the expense of his boxing career.

Because of Pacquiao’s political plans, his US promoter Bob Arum encountered some difficulty pinning down a date and site for his next fight against unbeaten Mexican Jorge Solis. The date has been moved from April 28 to 21 and now, to 14. And the site was relocated across the globe from Macau to San Antonio, Texas. Luckily, Arum has the connections to make things happen for Pacquiao and the fight against Solis is now confirmed – unless Comelec says otherwise.

Predictably, Pacquiao’s political opponents are crying foul. Pacquiao’s scheduled bout against Solis will fall within the campaign period and his opponents are claiming it will give unfair publicity mileage for the fighter. If the opponents succeed in convincing the Comelec of their position, Pacquiao might have to back out of the fight – a clear example of how his ring career will be jeopardized by politics.

Political observers insist Pacquiao was influenced to run by allies close to Malacañang since nobody else has a chance to unseat Custodio in the first district.

Who convinced Pacquiao to run is an irrelevant issue. Pacquiao has his own mind and makes decisions about his life after consulting those whose opinions he regards highly. As in his boxing career, Pacquiao is the "boss." The buck stops with him. He’s not perfect because he’s only human. Like anyone else, he stumbles but learns every step of the way and hopes he doesn’t commit the same mistakes again.

Sooner or later, Pacquiao will realize that boxing and politics don’t mix. He can’t be a congressman and boxer at the same time. He can’t be away from the Batasan for two months training in seclusion in Los Angeles and not accessible to his constituents. Something has to give and as a congressman, Pacquiao’s priorities will take a dramatic twist.

If she wins, Custodio will serve out her third and last term. That would allow Pacquiao three more years to concentrate on consolidating his future, his status as the country’s greatest fighter of all time and his political network to succeed Custodio.

Pacquiao’s heart is with the people and he’s in a hurry to make an impact on their lives. If it’s his irrevocable decision to run for congress, the electorate should listen to what he has to offer, give him a chance to explain his platform and compare his ability to serve with Custodio’s. The people should also accept that as congressman, Pacquiao may be giving up boxing to focus on fighting at a higher level as a legislator.

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