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.

Lt. Col. Manny Pacquiao?

That is possible. The Philippine Army intends to promote the boxer and congressman to the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel as a reservist. If and when that materializes, the president who is the commander in-chief has the final say to approve or thrash Pacman’s promotion paper.

It is better if the Armed Forces opens its filing cabinet and reviews the names of deserving members of its ranks and file for career advancement. There are a lot of active and professional soldiers who better deserve a promotion.

In the past we read deserving soldiers bypassed in their promotion after failing in their  loyalty test.

That should not happen again.

If and when a reservist Lt. Col. Manny Pacquiao is called into active service, is he capable in leading his men probably graduates from the Philippine Military Academy to attack a known terrorist lair in the South; for example?

I am not taking for granted Rep. Pacquiao’s military background. For sure he has a military training. However, I doubt if his knowledge in military tactics, mathematics for warfare or military instinct is better than the professional soldiers.

If and when a reservist Lt. Col. Manny Pacquiao is called into active service in the future, it would be interesting to know how he fares in the battlefield and the tenacity of his organizational skills as well.

Army Parade For Pacquiao

The Philippine Army gives Manny Pacquiao the boxer a testimonial parade for his accomplishments in boxing.

Is this not stupid?

Does the government mean that the accomplishments of other Filipinos excelling in other fields are less important than boxing? Did the government give the same honor to Bata Reyes, Django Bustamante, Charice Pempengco, Arnel Pineda and Wesley So to name a few? What is so special with boxing?  How about our men and women in the medical, educational, religious, science and other interests?

The representative from Saranggani province could have refused the honor and  requested the amount the Army spends for the parade to be used in buying equipments in fighting insurgency and terrorist activities.

Next time Wesley So comes home after defeating strong chess grandmasters in an international tournament he wins elsewhere, do we expect our Army to give him the same honor given to Mr. Pacquiao?

Church Citation for Pacquiao?

Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD, Manila Bulletin columnist seems to suggest that the Catholic Church should give Rep. Manny Paquiao a citation for being a good Catholic.

Fr. Bel argues that Pacquiao the boxer is seen worldwide in the ring during his fights making the sign of the cross, kneeling in prayer before and after a bout and with a rosary chained on his neck. The columnist-priest says that such show of Catholicism can evangelize. As the representative of Saranggani, Mr. Pacquiao strongly opposes the RH Bill.

The SVD (Society of Divine Word) missionary has a point but giving Manny a formal citation from the Catholic Church is too much as far as I am concerned. Why should one who harms if not sacrilege the temple of the Holy Spirit be awarded or praised?

The good Ilocano priest knows that the human body, whom Manny the boxer is trained to destroy or make unconscious is the temple of the Holy Spirit. How could one using sledgehammer to disfigure the altar of St. Jude Parish church in San Miguel, Manila be given a citation saying that s/he is a good Catholic?

Saanko a maala, Apo Bel. (I cannot get it, Fr. Bel.)

Pacquiao Spars With Lagman

The time I was eagerly waiting for arrived when Rep. Manny Pacquiao took the podium and squabbled with Rep. Edcel Lagman, his colleague in Congress.

Issue: RH Bill.

Too bad, I was not able to follow up the details of the live exchange of ideas. I was doing something at that time that required me to exert full concentration.

The following day, some daily papers headlined that the representative of Saranggani province has been knocked out in the debate.

Did Rep. Pacquiao volunteer to take the floor and debate Atty. Lagman, a UP alumnus or some pushed him to oppose the RH Bill in the august hall of congress?

Congressman Pacquiao was obviously coached and rehearsed by a ghost aide by furnishing him important facts about the bill. Unfortunately, as the exchange of ideas developed, former Pres. Fidel Ramos noted Pacquiao’s argument as “fallacious or very weak”.

Inside the ring, Manny is full of courage; not scared to fight bigger and taller opponents. The same courage did not work for him in the congressional floor. Debating in the senate, Rep. Pacquiao gave his best; sometimes speaking in English to drive his point but his best was not enough.

I appreciate congressman Paquiao in opposing the controversial RH Bill but he should have taken the courage not to engage in a fistfight of words against a lawyer.

If some quarters pushed Pacquiao in the lopsided fight, it was a disastrous decision. I am not familiar with the rules of congress but I assume that any one can be invited to deliver a talk (lecture?) about pressing issues.

Bishop Luis “Chito” Tagle could have been an excellent resource person. The bishop is not a lawyer but his academic record tells that he is very competent to clearly spell out the opposing position of the Catholic Church vis-à-vis the RH Bill. To say the least, Bishop Chito can argue with any member of the House.

Well, come on; since the government and the Catholic Church are both determined to fight for what they believe, probably it is better to cool down and relax and see what comes next. Will the bill be enacted into law or thrashed?

One way or the other, so long as graft and corruption is not controlled, if it cannot be eliminated, poverty stays even if our population is drastically reduced. So long as the government does not care to find ways to create jobs for the many, even if our number is much lesser, poverty remains. So long as greed, unequal distribution of wealth and lawlessness remain, so does poverty.

Pacquiao's Next Big Fight

The condom debate in the country has not yet reached the “Therefore” premise and there’s no reason to believe that the story flickers to extinction.

When I was in school, I cannot forget one of my instructors’ irony saying “The more you know, the more you don’t know and the more you don’t know, the more you know.”

Both Houses of Congress are populated with people with  better if not the best minds. They are diploma, "laude"or "honoris causa" holders of distinguished universities at home and abroad. Despite such distinction, it is a mystery that our legislators cannot enact laws that would make the Philippines at par or better with our Asian neighbors.

Enter Rep. Manny Pacquiao of Saranggani Province.

Honestly, I absolutely don’t read anything about Mr. Pacquiao when it’s about boxing but my eyes were stuck to an item of one of the dailies saying that he will oppose the RH bill.

The story does not end there.

We know Rep. Pacquiao's academic and intellectual yardstick but I was surprised with his excellent reasoning when he said:

“[G]overnment officials should stop blaming the growing population for the country’s economic woes and strive to change the situation by serving with honesty and sincerity . . . [w]e have an annual budget and a certain amount is set aside for various projects. The problem is corruption . . . [The] money intended for certain projects is being pocketed by corrupt government officials . . . I don't believe that we are poor because there are more people. The problem is corruption.”

Somebody could have explained him and dissected the real problem and persuaded him to issue  a press release. Rep. Pacquiao could have not pronounced the statement before the press if he does not believe in what he says.

I agree with Rep. Pacquiao that corruption causes poverty in this country.  Sadly, some of our officials intentionally fail to address it for their own personal aggrandizement. Otherwise, if our leaders really have the political will, after the fall of the fascist dictatorship, the country should have started its pace toward national prosperity but to no avail. We still believe candidate Noynoy Aquino’s mantra that "Kung Walang Kurap, Walang Mahirap" (No poverty in a corrupt-free society) but his shifted attention to artificial contraception (to reduce population) as the ringing remedy to solve our economic woes seem to suggest that it is now false or foolish to believe the slogan that pushed him to win the presidency by an unprecedented landslide.

If Filipinos are truly die-hard fans of the legendary Pacman, they must not only support him inside the boxing ring. They must especially give him the necessary support inside the ring of Congress when at this time; Manny is fighting for a noble and bigger cause --- the fight to respect life and the sanctity of marriage. Manny may not be seen kneeling for a short prayer before a fight (to oppose RH bill) or seen doing the sign of the cross with his Rosary but the unconquerable heart he has inside the ring fearing no bigger or taller opponent, Rep. Pacquiao, a man of faith, is even more fearless and determined to fight what he believes in knowing that the author of his unbelievable success is also the author of  life.

May your tribe increase, Manny, if I can still call you that way.  “Even to the death fight for truth, and the Lord your God will battle for you.” (Sirach 4:28) 

The measure is not academic achievement or knowing too much or too little. What counts sometimes is modesty and simplicity by being not too much opinionated (with foolishness).

Manny, hindi ka nag-iisa.  Kung walang kikilos, sino ang kikilos?  Kung di ngayon, kailan pa? (Manny, you are not alone; if no one fights, who will fight?  If not now, when?) -30-

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Photo Credit:

http://www.congress.gov.ph/members/search.php?congress=15&id=pacquiao

Enrile: No to Manny Pacquiao Presidency

At this time when fanatics are savoring the latest victory of Manny Pacquiao over Margarito in Dallas, Mr. Enrile was reckless in openly saying that he is not in favor for Sarangani representative Pacquiao to be (one day) president and as a peace negotiator in troubled Mindanao.

The EDSA-I hero spoils widespread celebration for the feat of an illustrious son who once again raised the Philippine emblem at the top of the world in the middle of the boxing arena.

Most in the channels of mass communication these days are about praises, adulation, exultation, reverence, hero worship, respect, honor, glory, wonder, brilliance and credit to name an acute few for Manny Pacquiao.

Though I am harshly against the role he played during the Marcos fascist dictatorship, I believe that he is very careful at the twilight of his political career carving and bequeathing a worthwhile legacy. Now, almost 90, the Ateneo, UP Diliman and Harvard alumnus is still sharp if saying that he is still one of the best senators is unethical so as not to reduce the significance and contributions of his colleagues.

What he said about the Filipino boxing icon is “perfectly” accurate that Mr. Pacquiao as president “devaluates the presidency” and “that it is not enough that Pacquiao won a seat in the House of Representatives; and that he is being idolized by millions of people” (that he can take the role of a peace negotiator).

Well said and no matter how hurting what he said, Sen. Enrile did not take back his words regardless of whatever negative or even vulgar and impolite comments against him and against those who agree with him receive in turn.

I am not taking out any inch of Manny’s wizardry inside the ring nor take for granted his magnanimity and modest equanimity. Precisely, the first has nothing to do in politics. Unlike some Asian neighbors, there has never been any exchange of fists in our Congress between solons during heated arguments. The second may be a plus factor but a president or a peace negotiator needs intellectual reserve and fecundity.

At the tender age of 32, if and when he so desires to run for the presidency, that will be in 2022 at age 44. Per age requirement, a candidate must be 40 on the day of elections (See Article VII, Sec. 2 of the 1987 Constitution).

Between now and 2022, a lot of political, national and international fortuitous events are plateful but Filipinos will have the last say if there will be a Pres. Manny Pacquiao.

Filipinos will also have their first say if Pres. Pacquiao was indeed a wise choice or was merely a product of hypnotized minds.

The Mindanao problem is a complex issue. At this point, I believe that there are others who are more capable than Rep. Pacquiao to sit on the negotiating table. The problem is not only about land or influx of government projects and aid to the island. More than that is the terrorism issue that is known to have foreign connections which the intelligence community asserts. For one to play the role of Kissinger, I believe that s/he must be familiar with history and its facts and whatever offshoot that may ensue that has something to do not only on the peace and order of Mindanao but on its economic, social and cultural well-being as well.

In fairness to Mr. Pacquiao, I believe that he has a bird’s eye view on the heart of the problem of his mother island but I doubt if he is perceptive, analytical and capable enough to find from bales of hay a common solution of the problems to once for all achieve peace in that distressed part of the country that has seen and continue to see the faces of suffering, apathy and violence.

Mr. Pacquiao is very capable in hiring the best minds as his adviser but they are not Mr. Pacquiao. In a “life or death” situation he has to rely on his guts and not from the advisers which could not be enough to bring forth a fruitful outcome.

I hope that our too much if not stupid idolizing of Pacman will not lead this country into an eco-political mess. If Mr. Pacquiao really loves this country to which he has bestowed a bunch of unequaled honor, even if pushed hard enough to run for the presidency, it is better for him to retire in GenSan or to any great city of the world and enjoy his family and fortune. If he wants to help the country and us, there are dozens of ways to do it privately. He should let the more prepared others to help find peace in Mindanao. Better, he should spend more time looking ways to help his constituents in Sarangani and do something too for the country not only through boxing but through humanitarian grounds as well.

Many may disagree with Sen. Enrile but in freedom of expression, anyone is free to voice a dissenting opinion.

Others don’t stop there. Some use words and phrases not even good for an old dirty dog against the person exercising his/her right of expression or of opinion but resorting into that filthy defensiveness clearly implies immaturity and lack of decency in a civilized society. -30-

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Photo Credit:

www.pinoygigs.com/blog/2010/05/juan-ponce-enrile-the-profile/

Pacquiao's Speed and Power: Are They Enough?

In a matter of hours, Rep. Manny Pacquiao enters into the ring in Dallas to fight a bigger, taller and heavier Antonio Margarito of Mexico. One of the dailies says that 100 million people, Pres. Aquino included, pray for Manny’s victory.

While it is accurate to say that Pacquiao has the speed and KO punch, these are not enough to ensure victory. The speed of Sugar Ray Leonard did not save him from defeat from the hands of Terry Norris, Roberto Duran and Hector Camacho. Muhammad Ali, “The Greatest” could not rely on the speed of his fists and foot work to demolish Ken Norton, Larry Holmes, Leon Spinks, Joe Frazier and Trevor Berbick.

The bullish Mike Tyson at the prime of his career was knocked out by James Douglas in Tokyo in 1990. Joe Frazier, a heavy puncher lasted just in two rounds against George Foreman in 1973 and Foreman, one of the strongest heavyweights lost to Ali in Zaire in 1974 by a devastating knock out in the 8th round.

Floyd Mayweather, staggered in the early rounds in his fight versus Shane Mosley said after the bout that boxing is a contact sport and one gets hit. As the country cannot wait for the hour when Pacquiao tries his luck in testing the skills of a man noted to have a durable chin, we must be reminded of an old wise saying that chicks should not be counted until the eggs are hatched.

Does God favor someone when we are talking on "the more brutal the punishment inflicted; the better"? -30-

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Photo Courtesy:  aljun7fp from Photobucket

Rep. Pacquiao's Sister: An Illegal Gambling Operator?

As of this writing, Isidra, the elder sister of Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao is being hunted by the police because of her alleged involvement in illegal gambling operations in General Santos City. Wire reports say that the boxer turned politician has given his word that he will not meddle in his sister’s case.

The Pacquiao family was quick in denying the charges.

There is nothing wrong with that.

An accused with strong evidence against him when asked for his disposition can declare his innocence of the charges. Chief Supt. Felicisimo Khu, police chief of Central Mindanao has said that authorities had long suspected Isidra’s house as a front for “Last Two Digits”, an illegal game of chance widespread in Mindanao. Khu further said that the police raid confirmed Isidra’s house as a base of operation.

If the police statement is to be believed that they had “long” suspected the house as an illegal gambling front, why is it only now that they ordered the raid? What is the role of Isidra in the Last Two Digits? Is she a gambling lord? Is she a financier? Suppose so, where did she get her capital which should be in millions? We all know the humble past of their family. If she is a gambling lord, is it possible that she has political and military connections before that she remained unscathed until recently? If she had their protection, were these influential and powerful people in her payroll?

It sounds impossible to believe that Isidra is brave enough to be by herself in running an illegal gambling without the protection of the so-called “untouchables”. As if she went to war with a mere bolo like Lapulapu’s.

How sure we are that Manny does not know anything about the alleged illegal activities of his sister?

Although Manny is a freshman politician, is there no possibility whatsoever that that he will not “discuss” the fate of his sister with his colleagues in the lower House and his other famous and influential friends and fans to draw their “sympathy”?

Isidra is innocent.   We wait for the final say of the court of law. In the meantime, the case of Rep. Pacquiao’s sister could just be a tip of the iceberg. There could be close relatives of government officials engaged in illegal activities such as tax evasion, smuggling, drug trafficking, illegal gambling, carnapping , Mafia-style extortion and others. All of these challenge Pres. Aquino’s determination in prosecuting these bad eggs.

So, what’s next? -30-

Manny Pacquiao The Politician

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-

Manny Pacquiao and Philippine Reality

The world has witnessed the prowess of Filipino pugilist Manny Pacquiao in a devastating second round knock out win over Englishman Hatton. The stunning end of Hatton goes to the books as one of the most brutal KOs in boxing history.

Whenever the venerable Manny has a fight, the Philippines keeps still. Cease fire between warring factions is enforced. Criminal activities in the streets run low if not nil. Filipinos converge in the malls, makeshift viewing nooks or plazas to watch their favorite son reap honor for the Philippines. More than half of the issues in the national dailies are about Manny. Patriotic comments flood the internet. Indeed, Manny is a Filipino god.

Beyond these insane euphoria and sheer patriotism, things in the Philippines do not change. It is still one of the most corrupt countries in the world with officials whose performance I hate to zero-in and spell out.

I don’t want to spoil the party. It is not good to switch horses in the middle of the river but looking at the Pacquiao phenomenon, if we are in our right senses, we must answer the question “Does Pacquiao’s feat has something to do with the Filipino welfare?”

I am not taking away an inch from Manny’s genius inside the ring. He is one of the best boxers in history but what has this to do with the Filipino welfare aside from his generosity?

The right-on-the-pocket answer is the Filipino pride. After defying grinding poverty in Gen. Santos City, Manny, now a self-made billionaire, has shown the Philippine map and flag to the remote villages in the world. We bark at the top of our voice that Filipinos can be excellent. Indeed we can be; both in goodness or in bad.

Every time Manny enters the ring, Filipinos are one in cheering and cranking up the Filipino patriotism. Can we do the same to fight and free our country possessed with social evils from A to Z?

When the heat of patriotism cools down and back to normal, our country is still the same gaining nothing from Pacquiao’s victory. Here and there, deafening exultation on Manny’s par excellence ring performance cannot assuage the suffering of the Filipino people nor could it alter the status quo. That does not ease poverty or minimize corruption. It does not promise constructive change in our lives as a people and as a nation. What if we have a god when in reality we live in hell with increasing fire intensity? Thanks to those whom we voted to power who, instead of making things better, they make them worse at a rapid pace.

I do not understand why we are satisfied to limit ourselves in deifying sports and entertainment personalities when more influential persons capable in changing the roadmap of Philippine government, ordained to be responsive to he needs of the citizenry, are there. Why can’t Filipinos unite to support real-to-goodness personalities determined to keep the country moving forward and not back? The fact that Filipinos can unite in idolizing Manny, I don’t see any reason why Filipinos cannot unite to make the country better and not worse.

While we congratulate Manny, let us examine our conscience as a nation and reinvent ourselves as citizens of this suffering nation.-30-