Pacman Now in Forbes: Who Cares?

The press tells that Rep. Manny Pacquiao recently purchased  a house in Forbes Park and another in the nearby Dasmarinas Village --- both millionaires’ subdivision.

What’s important about the houses when we know that he honestly earned them?

Do the A and B classes care about the news? (Well, they are the minority, anyway.) The people are interested to know the congressman’s performance in Congress like his recent debate with colleague Edcel Lagman. Filipinos must know that when Pacman has a fight, he absents himself in the House to legislate. That is his job as an elected official. The people pay him for his legislative duties and not as a boxer.

I hope that when he is busy training for weeks, he is not paid from the people’s money. If paid, known for his good demeanor, I hope that Mr. Pacquiao returns it for he knows that he does not deserve to be paid when he is absent. Rep. Pacquiao must not be a part-time congressman or a part-time boxer. He either resigns in the House or hangs his gloves so that he can do his task better.

No one can do two things with equal excellence.

There are other residents of both Forbes and Dasmarinas but the press does not say who they are.  So, what’s special about Pacman? He brings home honor for the country? True; but does he have the monopoly in doing that? How about the Filipino professors in American and European universities? Here at home, how about the fading tribe who refuses to cooperate in graft and corruption although they are un-named and faceless?

They also make this country honorable but most of us are hypnotized if not foolishly possessed with boxing.