Filipinos may now air a sigh of relief. Manny Pacquiao has delivered his first privilege speech in Congress. I am one of the many who is interested in reading the full transcript of his speech. Hopefully, I will get hold of it soon.
If my information on Pacquiao’s political evolution is accurate, he miserably lost in his first try in 2007 but elected in the recent polls to represent Sarangani province in the 15th Congress. He is also a bosom buddy of Gov. Chavit Singson of Ilocos Sur.
After his proclamation as a legislator, Mr. Pacquiao went to the University of the Philippines in Diliman, one of the best schools in the country, to be tutored on how the government functions and how he would discharge his role as a solon. Although Manny finished secondary via a special class, I honestly don’t know if the boxer-now-solon was able to understand the lecture of a Ph.D.-holder which could be in English, Tagalog or even in his native Bisaya.
And who can forget the day when Manny surprised then president-elect Noynoy Aquino at Times Street with a visit? Manny did not support Noynoy but his fellow billionaire Manny Villar. The press said that Mr. Aquino, although from a different political boat, politely received Pacquiao and bantered with him. Later on, Pacquiao bolted from Villar’s camp and switched his support to P-Noy.
Going back to his speech, Mr. Pacquiao assured “livelihood, first provincial hospital, employment and schools” to his constituents. Appears to have a well of funds not to mention his pork barrel, Manny can barely have the luxury to let his hands down for the rest of his term in helping his people in all their needs. He has a lot of chores to do aside from practicing how to punch with a lethal blow to keep the boxer in him sharp.
Will he be a good congressman? He answers:
"[M]y resounding answer is, with my heart in the right place, my work ethic, my discipline and my commitment to learn from wiser and more experienced people, yes I can be a good congressman".
Personally, that is nothing new. Every politician wants to impress in saying he “would serve with dignity and work hard for the welfare of constituents whom he owes the mandate”. That is a classical statement but it is sad that the silent majority in the country believes that most of their politicians are corrupt.
Let me stress that Manny Pacquiao did not steal his fortune. He earned it. What played in his mind when he entered into politics is difficult for me to decipher. Politics is not the only way to show sympathy and help. He can help perhaps even better and nobler if he works behind the scene tapping the private and religious sectors to funnel his help. In that way his magnanimity is not exclusive to his province mates but to the whole citizenry as well.
We know that a solon’s primary job is to legislate, to enact future laws and not just to vote in caucuses. With the immense help of his staff, Manny can present excellent bills. However, Filipinos are not stupid to believe that Manny will take the floor to engage in a debate with his peers explaining the merits of his bills and why they must be passed into a law. It is not expected either that he will argue on the floor that the bills of his colleagues should not be enacted into law after his aides explained him their defects and demerits.
So, are the people of Sarangani thumbs up in electing Mr. Pacquiao? What made them change their mind in electing him in his second try?
To what extent Sarangani develops while Manny is in office is to be seen. -30-
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