Pacman defies odds - again

It is often said that seven-time world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao fights hardest when he’s the underdog. The conventional thinking is Pacquiao, who’s an avowed risk taker, thrives in pressure situations because he’s doubly motivated by defying the odds.

Pacquiao was the underdog when he fought Chatchai Sasakul for the WBC flyweight title in 1998 and won. He was the underdog when he battled Lehlo Ledwaba for the IBF superbantamweight crown in 2001 and won. Pacquiao was the underdog when he faced Marco Antonio Barrera for the Ring Magazine people’s world featherweight diadem in 2003 and won. He was the underdog when he squared off with Oscar de la Hoya in 2008 and won.

And Pacquiao was the underdog when he tangled with shipping magnate Roy Chiongbian, 61, for the congressional seat in the lone district of Sarangani province in this year’s elections and won.

Sarangani became an independent province in 1992 and Chiongbian’s late father James was its first congressman. Chiongbian’s older brother Erwin served as congressman for three terms in the last nine years, relinquishing the position only because the law disallows an incumbent from seeking a fourth consecutive mandate. His mother Priscilla used to be the governor. Someone said that 75 percent of Sarangani residents are employed by the Chiongbian, Dominguez and Alcantara clans and that anyone who went against the three families in politics was doomed to lose.

But Pacquiao, 31, didn’t shirk from the challenge of confronting the Sarangani dynasty. In 2007, he lost in a bid for the congressional seat of the first district of South Cotabato and General Santos City to incumbent Darlene Antonino-Custodio by about 30,000 votes. The spectre of another resounding setback didn’t deter Pacquiao who rejected advice from friends to run as the first nominee of his own party list. His friends reasoned that if Pacquiao ran as congressman of a party list, he wouldn’t spend as much, it wouldn’t be difficult to garner 400,000 votes all over the country and he wouldn’t create enemies because he wouldn’t face an opponent head-on.

As it turned out, Pacquiao beat Chiongbian by a landslide. With a voting population of over 220,000 in seven towns, Sarangani went for Pacquiao at a rate of 2-to-1. Last Monday’s election wasn’t even close.

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Here are 10 probable reasons why Pacquiao won:

• Pacquiao’s machinery clicked. Learning from his mistakes in 2007, Pacquiao organized a campaign that mobilized support from all sectors and worked like a charm. He operated out of a two-room headquarters called the “Pentagon” in General Santos City, diligently went on the campaign trail and put Chiongbian on the defensive from start to finish. A source said Pacquiao’s war chest never lacked for funds. Logistically, Pacquiao was backed up by a reported budget of P300 million. If Pacquiao fights Floyd Mayweather Jr. in November, he expects a windfall of at least $25 million which is four times more than his supposed election budget.

• Chiongbian’s tactics backfired. Chiongbian tried to disqualify Pacquiao by alleging he’s not a Sarangani resident but was rebuffed by the Comelec. His slogan was “Sarangani is not for sale,” implying Pacquiao’s strategy was to buy votes. It’s likely the people were turned off by the attempt to disqualify Pacquiao and the negativity of the slogan.

• Chiongbian had never run for public office before. He’s the youngest Chiongbian son and an executive of the family-owned Eastern Shipping Lines. Chiongbian was never exposed to the public in the past. Obviously, Pacquiao had a major advantage in media mileage.

• People wanted a change. It’s no secret that all over the country, especially in Mindanao, the clamor is for change. Pacquiao offered change, a new beginning and an end to a long-standing political dynasty. The voters gave Pacquiao a chance to initiate change.

• Pacquiao’s family support was solid. There were no intrigues, no distractions. Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee, who is from Sarangani, came out 100 percent behind her husband and his entire family campaigned relentlessly. The image of a strong family was a major boost for Pacquiao. That same image has sold millions of products through advertisements.

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• Pacquiao’s timing was perfect. Pacquiao fought Jorge Solis on April 14 in San Antonio only a month before the 2007 elections on May 14. There was hardly enough time to plan out a campaign that would unseat Custodio. In contrast, Pacquiao fought Joshua Clottey last March 3 and had a lot of time to organize a well-heeled campaign for the election last May 10.

• Pacquiao has cemented his place in history. In 2007, he wasn’t as widely acclaimed as he is now. Since losing to Custodio, Pacquiao has moved on to become the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter and the only boxer ever to win seven world titles in seven divisions. Since losing to Custodio, he has claimed the world superfeatherweight, lightweight, lightwelterweight and welterweight crowns – an incredible feat for a fighter who started his career weighing 106 pounds in 1995. Pacquiao has become a legend in his own time – a recognition that voters just couldn’t ignore.

• The presence of the foreign press left a positive impression. The voters couldn’t let Pacquiao down particularly as they knew he was the reason why hordes of international media descended on Sarangani. The “invasion” also made sure the election was above board with no hanky-panky from either side. Among the media figures who covered the Sarangani polls were Bill Dwyre of the Los Angeles Times, Andrew Marshall of Time Magazine, Nancy Gay of AOL Fanhouse, Mike Marley of examiner.com and Renato Reyes of TVB Hong Kong. Promoter Bob Arum also flew in to provide moral support for his favorite fighter.

• The voters identified with Pacquiao. He came from humble beginnings and fought his way to the top. To the voters most of whom live in poverty, Pacquiao symbolized hope. In his campaign speeches, Pacquiao spoke about anti-poverty programs and promised to knock out corruption – two themes that are close to the heart of every voter. He said he would give boats to fishermen, financial assistance to market vendors, free education, medicine and medical care. Chiongbian delved on high-brow issues relating to education, health, agri-development and peace and order. Pacquiao’s party was the People’s Champ Movement while Chiongbian’s party was the Sarangani Reconciliation and Reformation Organization. There was no question as to which party had a more attractive sound bite.

• Pacquiao showed sincerity. The voters knew he lost badly in 2007 but Pacquiao was back for a second chance to give to the people what he felt was their due. His generosity has never been in doubt. He shares what he has, gives what he has. He doesn’t take from somebody else’s pocket and gives it away like it came from him. Pacquiao is sincere in his generosity – he has a track record that backs it up. Voters couldn’t imagine Pacquiao stealing from government coffers to enrich himself.

Someone once said Pacquiao has always dreamed of being introduced for a fight by Michael Buffer as not only “the pride of the Philippines” but also “the fighting congressman from Sarangani.” His dream will now come true.