CELEBRITIES, who venture into politics, are not an uncommon sight in the Philippines — and Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is one of them.
In the last three years, politics has been a major part of his career. He may have lost his last two major fights in 2012, but Pacquiao won big time in the last May elections, running unopposed and being re-elected as the Congressman of Sarangani Province.
The whole world stood witness to Pacquiao’s rise to the top: from a struggling 14-year-old boy, who left his home in Mindanao, he became the best fighter of his generation.
In his journey, Pacquiao managed to have millions of adoring fans. His followers are so devoted to him that they still find cause to celebrate even his defeat.
And why not? After all, his achievements supersede Pacquiao himself—winning eight championships in different weight divisions by beating boxing champions from around the world.
All his hard work has manifested into millions of earnings, a successful showbiz career and a legislative post. His fame has catapulted him to become one of the most revered Filipino icons of all time.
As early as last year, Pacquiao has considered hanging up his boxing gloves, soon. He said in his previous interviews that God has told him to.
“I will not stay long in boxing because He said: ‘You have done enough. You have made yourself famous but this is harmful,’” said a serious-looking Pacquiao to a local radio show.
Now that he is close to stepping out of the ring, what’s next for Pacquiao?
“When I started boxing, of course I was planning, you know and thinking about getting to become a champion. So when I enter[ed] politics, it’s the same thing,” Pacquiao told AFP over the weekend.
Those unassuming words are enough to say that Pacquiao is eyeing the highest seat in the Philippine government.
This report rattled Pacquiao’s fans. Some questioned his motives, others criticized his political initiatives, but most of them forgot Pacquiao’s upcoming bout against the US-based Brandon Rios in Macau on November.
“Pacquiao for President” is unlikely to be seen in 2016.
Article VII Section 2 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states: “no person may be elected President unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, able to read and write, at least forty years of age on the day of the election, and a resident of the Philippines for at least ten years immediately preceding such election.”
Pacquiao will only be 38 years old by December 2016.
In a statement released to reporters, Top Rank Promotions said that Pacquiao’s interview with AFP was taken out of context. Pacquiao clarified that he has no concrete plan to run for President in the near future. But he is not closing his doors on the idea either.
“Serving in a higher elective post rests on the will of God and the call of the Filipino people,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao said that presidency is a mere aspiration. For now, the Sarangani representative is focused on his political duties and pushing for his agenda which includes the improvement of the country’s sports program.
In the meantime, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. advised Pacquiao to fulfill his duties first as a congressman, by improving his attendance record. He also told Pacquiao to focus on upcoming fight with Rios and his future bouts.
“He should aspire first to become a senator, not president at once,” Belmonte told reporters. “Let’s train (for the presidency) at the senatorial level,” Belmonte said.
Celebrities, who dabble in politics, are not given guaranteed success. As in the recent May midterm polls, some emerged victorious, while others never made it past the ballot.
Whether this decision is wise or not, Pacquiao’s ambition to become the next Philippine president will adhere to the requirements of due process, as it would for any other Filipino who shares his aspiration.
It is up to Filipino citizens to decide if his dream can turn into a reality.
(AJPress)
