Monday, November 22, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Pacquiao for president!?
Five years ago, the calls for a boxing champ to become chief executive of the Philippines were clearly outrageous and incredible. This year, “Pacquiao for president” earned itself some serious attention.
We, too, heard the whispers that journalists from Sun Star, Manila Bulletin, PNA and Philippine Daily Inquirer relayed for the world to hear. According to Sun Star Cebu columnist Atty. Pachico A. Seares, Pacquiao's intentions to run for vice president in 2016 and then for president in 2022 were allegedly disclosed to a “Los Angeles Times” reporter a few days before the historic November 13 (14 in the Philippines) boxing victory against Mexican champion Antonio Margarito. Seares attributes trainer Freddie Roach for having said that “Pacquiao will be a good congressman, then will later run for senator, veep, and president.”
Not yet qualified
Philippine senators immediately gave the Pambansang Kamao their friendly counsel. On November 16, the PNA / Manila Bulletin reported that Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III advises Pacquiao to “ignore those who are convincing him to target the presidency” and instead “focus in his boxing career and work effectively as congressman of his province (Saranggani). Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri joined Sotto in saying that “Pacquiao can only run for President when he reaches 40 years of age.” Zubiri also said Pacquiao can't run for senator yet in 2013 because of the age requirement of 35.
Unless the age requirements for candidacy are amended to allow younger candidates to run, Pacquiao will have to wait until after the 2016 presidential elections for him to qualify as a senatorial, veep or presidential bet. This means the Pambansang Kamao has nine years more to develop himself as an honorable public servant and to constantly prove himself as an excellent Congressman worthy to be elected to higher offices. The “premature announcement” may even increase the obstacles to his goals.
Higher standards
However, these revelations may already have raised the qualifications for those aspiring for the highest seats in the land. Pacquiao's alleged aim to rise through the executive ranks inevitably added his world-famous personal traits to the qualifications. Without doubt, Pacquiao is hailed as a true Filipino champion, as a charismatic, humble, decent, legendary yet compassionate boxer, and as a hardworking public servant, among many other accolades. Which could mean that: the aspirants must also bear the said admirable traits, in addition to the traditional economic and political powers and; Filipinos may also look for these traits among the bets, as added criteria for electing future senators, veep and presidents. Pacquiao has unwittingly raised the standards.
Awards in the superlative
At least 12 resolutions honoring Pacquiao have been filed at the House of Representatives. Pacquiao is now recipient of the Congressional Medal of Distinction, the highest award bestowed to a member of the House, conferred under the leadership of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., House Majority Leader and Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales II, and House Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman.
The distinction honors Pacquiao "for becoming the first professional boxer in history to capture eight world titles in eight different divisions." He is considered as "the greatest boxer of all time, even surpassing the legendary careers of boxing greats such as Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Oscar dela Hoya." The resolution further stated that Pacquiao’s latest victory "brings once again prestige and honor to the country, arouses a feeling of pride and patriotism among our people and his sportsmanship character serves as an inspiration for the sports-loving Filipino youth to emulate and for the Filipino people to treasure for all time."
Grand parades, feasts, ceremonies and a national holiday, declared or not, await the People's Champ and his team upon their return to the country. Team Pacquiao deserves the warmest welcome. But he will have also missed attending to his duties as a Congressman.
Better than others
As Pacquiao trained for his fight with Margarito, he has been mindful of his responsibilities as a Congressman. Although a neophyte legislator, he has already authored/co-authored more than 21 bills and resolutions. He actively participates in 11 House committees and is a vice chairperson of the Committees on Millennium Development Goals and Youth and Sports Development.
Pacquiao has also been vocal about human rights, peace, health, and concerns of youth, women and other marginalized sectors. He delivered privilege speeches seeking to uplift the plight of the poor, increasing health care, and supporting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and the victims of human trafficking.
After becoming a world boxing legend, Pacquiao now seems to have his heart focused on serving his countrymen. When he expresses his thoughts in the Plenary, everybody listens and applauds. He is also said to have performed better during the past few months than some others who have been in public office years earlier.
Farewell to boxing?
The editorial of Sun Star Davao last November 15 affirmed that “fifteen years of being battered on the ring and having to go through grueling physical trainings have earned him (Pacquiao) an unprecedented stature in the whole world.” Fight enthusiasts and those close to Pacquiao would want to see more fights and victories for the Pambansang Kamao. Pacquiao himself acknowledged his match with Margarito as his hardest fight ever. Promoter Bob Arum said Pacquiao may soon be fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez. But Roach said Pacquiao now deserves at least six months off boxing.
Filipinos, especially the poor folk, who have watched and appreciated all the excitement, the sacrifices and the glories brought home by the People's Champ, would rather see Pacquiao quit fighting, undefeated in the ring, so that he could perform his best as a public servant.
We, too, heard the whispers that journalists from Sun Star, Manila Bulletin, PNA and Philippine Daily Inquirer relayed for the world to hear. According to Sun Star Cebu columnist Atty. Pachico A. Seares, Pacquiao's intentions to run for vice president in 2016 and then for president in 2022 were allegedly disclosed to a “Los Angeles Times” reporter a few days before the historic November 13 (14 in the Philippines) boxing victory against Mexican champion Antonio Margarito. Seares attributes trainer Freddie Roach for having said that “Pacquiao will be a good congressman, then will later run for senator, veep, and president.”
Not yet qualified
Philippine senators immediately gave the Pambansang Kamao their friendly counsel. On November 16, the PNA / Manila Bulletin reported that Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III advises Pacquiao to “ignore those who are convincing him to target the presidency” and instead “focus in his boxing career and work effectively as congressman of his province (Saranggani). Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri joined Sotto in saying that “Pacquiao can only run for President when he reaches 40 years of age.” Zubiri also said Pacquiao can't run for senator yet in 2013 because of the age requirement of 35.
Unless the age requirements for candidacy are amended to allow younger candidates to run, Pacquiao will have to wait until after the 2016 presidential elections for him to qualify as a senatorial, veep or presidential bet. This means the Pambansang Kamao has nine years more to develop himself as an honorable public servant and to constantly prove himself as an excellent Congressman worthy to be elected to higher offices. The “premature announcement” may even increase the obstacles to his goals.
Higher standards
However, these revelations may already have raised the qualifications for those aspiring for the highest seats in the land. Pacquiao's alleged aim to rise through the executive ranks inevitably added his world-famous personal traits to the qualifications. Without doubt, Pacquiao is hailed as a true Filipino champion, as a charismatic, humble, decent, legendary yet compassionate boxer, and as a hardworking public servant, among many other accolades. Which could mean that: the aspirants must also bear the said admirable traits, in addition to the traditional economic and political powers and; Filipinos may also look for these traits among the bets, as added criteria for electing future senators, veep and presidents. Pacquiao has unwittingly raised the standards.
Awards in the superlative
At least 12 resolutions honoring Pacquiao have been filed at the House of Representatives. Pacquiao is now recipient of the Congressional Medal of Distinction, the highest award bestowed to a member of the House, conferred under the leadership of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., House Majority Leader and Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales II, and House Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman.
The distinction honors Pacquiao "for becoming the first professional boxer in history to capture eight world titles in eight different divisions." He is considered as "the greatest boxer of all time, even surpassing the legendary careers of boxing greats such as Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Oscar dela Hoya." The resolution further stated that Pacquiao’s latest victory "brings once again prestige and honor to the country, arouses a feeling of pride and patriotism among our people and his sportsmanship character serves as an inspiration for the sports-loving Filipino youth to emulate and for the Filipino people to treasure for all time."
Grand parades, feasts, ceremonies and a national holiday, declared or not, await the People's Champ and his team upon their return to the country. Team Pacquiao deserves the warmest welcome. But he will have also missed attending to his duties as a Congressman.
Better than others
As Pacquiao trained for his fight with Margarito, he has been mindful of his responsibilities as a Congressman. Although a neophyte legislator, he has already authored/co-authored more than 21 bills and resolutions. He actively participates in 11 House committees and is a vice chairperson of the Committees on Millennium Development Goals and Youth and Sports Development.
Pacquiao has also been vocal about human rights, peace, health, and concerns of youth, women and other marginalized sectors. He delivered privilege speeches seeking to uplift the plight of the poor, increasing health care, and supporting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and the victims of human trafficking.
After becoming a world boxing legend, Pacquiao now seems to have his heart focused on serving his countrymen. When he expresses his thoughts in the Plenary, everybody listens and applauds. He is also said to have performed better during the past few months than some others who have been in public office years earlier.
Farewell to boxing?
The editorial of Sun Star Davao last November 15 affirmed that “fifteen years of being battered on the ring and having to go through grueling physical trainings have earned him (Pacquiao) an unprecedented stature in the whole world.” Fight enthusiasts and those close to Pacquiao would want to see more fights and victories for the Pambansang Kamao. Pacquiao himself acknowledged his match with Margarito as his hardest fight ever. Promoter Bob Arum said Pacquiao may soon be fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez. But Roach said Pacquiao now deserves at least six months off boxing.
Filipinos, especially the poor folk, who have watched and appreciated all the excitement, the sacrifices and the glories brought home by the People's Champ, would rather see Pacquiao quit fighting, undefeated in the ring, so that he could perform his best as a public servant.
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