Pacquiao relishes role as kingmaker

HOLLYWOOD – Manny Pacquiao’s mind went somewhere else after Thursday’s workout at the Wild Card Gym.

It took a turn to his new love -- politics.

For nearly 45 minutes, inside the oven-hot dressing room of the famous Hollywood sweatshop, Pacquiao sounded every bit the politician that he is.

First, he reminded the scribes of his so-called victory in last week’s US elections.

“I went two-for-two,” said the Filipino boxer who, in his own little way, helped campaign for senator-elect Harry Reid of Nevada and governor-elect Gerry Brown of California.

One of Pacquiao’s consultants, Joe Ramos, said Reid was four percentage points behind his rival before Bob Arum took Pacquiao to a whirlwind trip to Las Vegas last Friday.

They held hands before the camera, and when the final vote was counted, Reid won by nine percentage points.

“That’s a 14-point swing right there,” said Ramos.

Pacquiao’s mind then travelled thousands of miles away, to General Santos City and Sarangani, where he was elected congressman during the May 10 elections back home.

“In last week’s barangay elections, all of those whom I helped and campaigned for won via landslide, and that includes my brother and sister-in-law,” he said.

Roel Pacquiao and Lorelei Pacquiao, wife of Bobby Pacquiao, were both elected as barangay chairmen.

The boxing icon said that in General Santos City alone, his hold on those in power in the barangay level grew from 3-of-26 to 15-of-26.

“Captured ko na. I think they’ve noticed my early accomplishments as a congressman, so when I ask them to join forces with me, they didn’t hesitate now,” he said.

“And some of those who were beaten by my bets have been in power for a very long time now. In Sarangani, 27 of the 31 heads of the different barangays are with me.”

Pacquiao said he promised these people that if they show loyalty to him, he will reward them with loyalty just the same.

Pacquiao also laid down his plans for Sarangani, including the construction of a P200 million general hospital, the first in the province, starting next year.

“For me it’s health, livelihood and education,” he said.

“Soon we will be giving away 200 heads of cattle to poor farmers and 200 outrigger fishing boats (banca) to poor fishermen in Sarangani. Then they will all be fine, and I will be okay,” he said.

He could have gone on and on, but Mike Koncz had to remind Pacquiao of the time. It was past six in the evening, and that he had to pick up his wife at the airport since she was scheduled to arrive from Manila.