12/19/2009

Sa Kabila Nito, Sana Ay Matoto Ka Pa Rin...


Pacquiao joins Villar bandwagon

By Hannah L. Torregoza

Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has finally made up his mind and formally took his oath as the newest member of presidential candidate Senator Manuel Villar Jr.’s Nacionalista Party (NP).

Villar raised the hands of Manny Pacquiao in simple ceremonies at the boxer’s mansion in General Santos City early Friday morning.

The oath-taking coincided with Pacquiao’s celebration of his 31st birthday. Pacquiao is seeking a congressional seat in Saranggani, his wife Jinky Pacquiao’s home province.

Present during the ceremony was Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is running for senator under the NP in the May 2010 polls.

Villar swore in Pacquiao, along with his People’s Champ Movement local party slate, in the boxing icon’s mansion in General Santos following his 31st birthday celebration at the KCC Events and Convention Center attended by over 2,000 guests including Villar.

“Manny Pacquiao, who has thrown his best punches to hoist our country’s pride and honor, is a deeply valued partner in our campaign to help keep our people from being knocked out by extreme hardships,” Villar said. [...]

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In his field of specialization, Manny have learned good strategies and developed great skills with the help of his mentors.

But it is highly doubtful that his learned strategies could work well in another arena under "clever" political game planners.

While he is treated like a son under his good coach in the field of boxing, contrastingly in the arena of politics, he seems being treated like a sacrificial chess piece by his supposed mentors who are trying hard to maximize their own gains from his heroism.

Manny is known to be a good administration ally, yet why is it now that he seems to have "suddenly" switched allegiance? Of course we understand that it is because of politics and we "know" that Manny has political ambitions, but can he not run as an independent and win? How much will he gain in his decision of changing allegiance and being allied with another group? Is it not the other way around? This group he is joining will gain some popularity because of his reputation while his political credibility decreases because of being possibly perceived as "balimbing" practicing TraPo.

I believe in Manny's intention to serve the poor. To the Filipinos he is an inspiration, but it is sad to see his sincere attempts at altruism only being manipulated by the big hairy hands of operators of traditional politics.

Manny, sometimes you must learn to say no to temptations. But you have made a choice, you must live with it for the duration of the season. Stand by what you have decided.