MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao has thrown the first punch in his upcoming political battle against a well-known clan in Sarangani, signaling the start of election season in the southern province.
Pacquiao will once again try his luck in the political ring in next year’s elections, this time running in the lone congressional district of Sarangani where he is expected to face a member of the Chiongbian family.
The world’s top pound-for-pound fighter, in an interview aired in GMA’s Weekend Report, said the main reason he is running in Sarangani is that he failed to see any significant change during the Chiongbians' 14-year reign in the House of Representatives accusing the long-time political clan of doing nothing to uplift the lives of the poor.
“Kung satisfied ako siguro sa ginagawa nila ‘di na ako tatakbo dahil masaya ako. Susuportahan ko na lang sila," said Pacquiao.
“Nakita ko naman na kulang talaga. In how many years, wala silang naitulong sa mga tao," he added.
The statement did not sit well with incumbent Rep. Erwin Chiongbian, who vowed that his family would not give up the congressional post easily.
The Chiongbians are known as a political dynasty in Sarangani. The late James L. Chiongbian is considered as the father of the province, having helped pass House Bill 00046 that created Sarangani as a separate province from South Cotabato.
The three-term lawmaker said a member of his family would run in the 2010 elections to replace him in the House of Representatives. “That’s our intention because we cannot abandon the province," he said.
Even as he acknowledged that Pacquiao has the fame and resources to launch a formidable campaign, Chiongbian said the people of Sarangani province would ultimately be the ones to decide in the 2010 elections.
“This is politics. It's different from boxing. If it’s boxing, I give up," said the 65-year-old lawmaker.
Pacquiao has announced his intention of seeking a congressional seat in Sarangani, his wife Jinkee’s province, in the 2010 national elections.
The reigning International Boxing Organization (IBO) light welterweight champion’s party, the People's Champ Movement (PCM), has been accredited by the Commission on Elections at the local level.
Pacquiao ran for a congressional seat in 2007 in the first district of South Cotabato as an adopted member of Kampi, the political party of President Gloria Arroyo.
However, he was knocked out by re-electionist Darlene Antonino-Custodio, who handily beat the boxing champ with a margin of more than 60,000 votes. - JONATHAN PEREZ, GMANews.TV
SOURCE
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Stick to boxing, bishop urges Pacquiao
MANILA, Philippines – People's champion Manny Pacquiao should stick to boxing instead of running for Congress in 2010, a Church official today said.
Marbel bishop Dinualdo Gutirrez said if Pacquiao really wants to help his constituents in Saranggani province, the world's No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer can put up a foundation that will send children to school or provide jobs to the unemployed.
"He could put up a foundation for example, scholarships, foundation for health care, foundation for a jobs, he can do that instead. He must capitalize on his stature to get some credible and competent people to manage the foundation," Gutierrez said today in an interview with the Church-run Radio Veritas.
The bishop said Pacquiao will most likely lose again in his congressional, this time in Saranggani province, for his lack of political experience and credibility. He previously ran for congressman in South Cotabato and suffered a lopsided defeat to incumbent Darlene Custodio.
"Here we follow the three three Cs in voting candidates: credibility, commitment and competence. (In the) last election, we said he (Pacquiao) had credibility. He also had commitment to the Filipino people especially the poor. But in the field of competence, he fails. And this time, even his credibility is being questioned now," Gutierrez said.
He said Pacquiao's association with gamblers is also one factor that would go against the boxing icon.
"Especially with his gambler friends and the way he is getting lands here are all questionable. We have to look into that deeper," he said.
Gutierrez claimed that some friends and administration officials are the ones who have prodded Pacquiao to run for an elective post despite his lack of political experience.
SOURCE
Marbel bishop Dinualdo Gutirrez said if Pacquiao really wants to help his constituents in Saranggani province, the world's No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer can put up a foundation that will send children to school or provide jobs to the unemployed.
"He could put up a foundation for example, scholarships, foundation for health care, foundation for a jobs, he can do that instead. He must capitalize on his stature to get some credible and competent people to manage the foundation," Gutierrez said today in an interview with the Church-run Radio Veritas.
The bishop said Pacquiao will most likely lose again in his congressional, this time in Saranggani province, for his lack of political experience and credibility. He previously ran for congressman in South Cotabato and suffered a lopsided defeat to incumbent Darlene Custodio.
"Here we follow the three three Cs in voting candidates: credibility, commitment and competence. (In the) last election, we said he (Pacquiao) had credibility. He also had commitment to the Filipino people especially the poor. But in the field of competence, he fails. And this time, even his credibility is being questioned now," Gutierrez said.
He said Pacquiao's association with gamblers is also one factor that would go against the boxing icon.
"Especially with his gambler friends and the way he is getting lands here are all questionable. We have to look into that deeper," he said.
Gutierrez claimed that some friends and administration officials are the ones who have prodded Pacquiao to run for an elective post despite his lack of political experience.
SOURCE
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
November fight may be the last for politics-bound Pacquiao
MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao appears bent on entering the political ring that he is seriously contemplating leaving the boxing ring for good.
The reigning pound-for-pound king declared he is good for one last fight, his projected November 14 gig at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas intended to be his swan song.
“Siguro last fight ko na ito para magserbisyo naman ako sa mga tao," Pacquiao said in an interview on 24 Oras.
“Ang mama ko nga ayaw na niya akong lumaban pero sabi ko, kaya ko pa naman, isa pa," added the two-time Fighter of the Year, whose camp is currently in negotiations with WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto for a possible showdown.
Pacquiao is eyeing a congressional post in Saranggani Province in next year’s elections and he has already set the wheels in motion for this bid by forming his own local party, the People’s Champ Movement, and setting residence in the province.
Over the weekend, he graced the celebrations for the founding anniversary of the district of Malapatan, where he publicly expressed his intention to serve them as congressman.
“Itong mga kamao ko na ginamit ko pang-knockout sa mga kalaban sa boxing, gagamitin ko para makatulong sa inyo," he told his highly-appreciative “constituents."
To show his seriousness to help the townsfolk, Pacquiao, one of the highest-paid athletes in the world according to Forbes magazine and one of the most influential people based on a list by Time magazine, donated an ambulance and fire-truck for the district’s use.
This would be the Pacman’s second attempt at a House seat after getting knocked out in 2007 by incumbent Rep. Darlene Custodio over in South Cotabato district.
But before Pacquiao could train his 100 percent attention to politics, he has to take care of one more business in the ring first.
Currently, his promoter is in talks with fellow Top Rank fighter Cotto for his “lash hurrah."
The Filipino ring icon himself had greenlit the negotiations with Cotto after personally seeing the Puerto Rican fight and escape with a split decision win over challenger Joshua Clottey in New York last June 13.
Top Rank boss Bob Arum had expressed confidence he would get Pacquiao and Cotto to sign on soon for what he described as a terrific fight. Among the issues still to be ironed out are the purse split and possible catch weight. – GMANews.Tv
SOURCE
The reigning pound-for-pound king declared he is good for one last fight, his projected November 14 gig at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas intended to be his swan song.
“Siguro last fight ko na ito para magserbisyo naman ako sa mga tao," Pacquiao said in an interview on 24 Oras.
“Ang mama ko nga ayaw na niya akong lumaban pero sabi ko, kaya ko pa naman, isa pa," added the two-time Fighter of the Year, whose camp is currently in negotiations with WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto for a possible showdown.
Pacquiao is eyeing a congressional post in Saranggani Province in next year’s elections and he has already set the wheels in motion for this bid by forming his own local party, the People’s Champ Movement, and setting residence in the province.
Over the weekend, he graced the celebrations for the founding anniversary of the district of Malapatan, where he publicly expressed his intention to serve them as congressman.
“Itong mga kamao ko na ginamit ko pang-knockout sa mga kalaban sa boxing, gagamitin ko para makatulong sa inyo," he told his highly-appreciative “constituents."
To show his seriousness to help the townsfolk, Pacquiao, one of the highest-paid athletes in the world according to Forbes magazine and one of the most influential people based on a list by Time magazine, donated an ambulance and fire-truck for the district’s use.
This would be the Pacman’s second attempt at a House seat after getting knocked out in 2007 by incumbent Rep. Darlene Custodio over in South Cotabato district.
But before Pacquiao could train his 100 percent attention to politics, he has to take care of one more business in the ring first.
Currently, his promoter is in talks with fellow Top Rank fighter Cotto for his “lash hurrah."
The Filipino ring icon himself had greenlit the negotiations with Cotto after personally seeing the Puerto Rican fight and escape with a split decision win over challenger Joshua Clottey in New York last June 13.
Top Rank boss Bob Arum had expressed confidence he would get Pacquiao and Cotto to sign on soon for what he described as a terrific fight. Among the issues still to be ironed out are the purse split and possible catch weight. – GMANews.Tv
SOURCE
Friday, June 19, 2009
Erap endorses 'Pacman' for Congress
Manny Pacquiao’s political aspiration got a “major boost” after former President Joseph Estrada endorsed his plan to run as representative of Sarangani Province.
Estrada extended his political support for Pacquiao during his visit to General Santos City on Thursday.
“Hindi lang ako, buong bayan [ini-]endorse si Manny,” said Estrada. “Si Manny galing sa hirap kaya gusto niyang tulungan mga kababayan niyang mahihirap dito.”
He then raised the boxer’s hand as if to signify a sure political winner.
“Hindi ko maipakita sobrang tuwa ko sa suporta niya. Maraming salamat,” said the delighted Pacquiao. “’Di lang sa boxing niya ako sinuportahan kundi pati sa pangarap ko sa buhay.”
Pacquiao thanked Estrada for accepting his invitation to visit GenSan.
He said it was an honor to have been paid a visit by the opposition leader.
“Karangalan na bisitahin at paunlakan ang imbitasyon ko ng mahal na pangulong Erap. Malaking karangalan na nabisita at pinagbigyan niya ang imbitasyon ko,” said the international boxing superstar.
Pacquiao and Estrada said they are open to the possibility of “combining their forces” for the local elections, despite the boxer’s ties with the administration.
Pacquiao was allied with administration parties Lakas-CMD and Kampi during the 2007 elections when he ran for congressman in South Cotabato. He, however, lost to incumbent Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio of the opposition. -- With a report from Sheryl Mundo, ABS-CBN News
SOURCE
Estrada extended his political support for Pacquiao during his visit to General Santos City on Thursday.
“Hindi lang ako, buong bayan [ini-]endorse si Manny,” said Estrada. “Si Manny galing sa hirap kaya gusto niyang tulungan mga kababayan niyang mahihirap dito.”
He then raised the boxer’s hand as if to signify a sure political winner.
“Hindi ko maipakita sobrang tuwa ko sa suporta niya. Maraming salamat,” said the delighted Pacquiao. “’Di lang sa boxing niya ako sinuportahan kundi pati sa pangarap ko sa buhay.”
Pacquiao thanked Estrada for accepting his invitation to visit GenSan.
He said it was an honor to have been paid a visit by the opposition leader.
“Karangalan na bisitahin at paunlakan ang imbitasyon ko ng mahal na pangulong Erap. Malaking karangalan na nabisita at pinagbigyan niya ang imbitasyon ko,” said the international boxing superstar.
Pacquiao and Estrada said they are open to the possibility of “combining their forces” for the local elections, despite the boxer’s ties with the administration.
Pacquiao was allied with administration parties Lakas-CMD and Kampi during the 2007 elections when he ran for congressman in South Cotabato. He, however, lost to incumbent Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio of the opposition. -- With a report from Sheryl Mundo, ABS-CBN News
SOURCE
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
