Chavit: Dirty politics may bring down Pacquiao

Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson yesterday reiterated his call to boxing champion Manny Paquiao asking the people’s champion to stay away from politics and concentrate on his boxing for at least five more years.

"As a friend, I am urging Manny not to run in the coming election," Singson said at the weekly Balitaan sa Rembrandt hotel forum. "His (boxing) career will get wrecked. I hope he will reconsider his decision."

"Politics is dirty and anything can be hurled at him," Singson said, in reaction to reports that Pacquiao has decided to run as a candidate in the mayoralty race in General Santos City in the May elections.

Singson said Pacquiao’s boxing career is now reaching its peak and added that "Paquiao should remain the idol of the Filipino people."

The Ilocos governor said that, if he gets a chance to talk with Pacquiao, he will repeat his unsolicited advice that Pacquiao stay away from politics.

But even as he advises Pacquiao to stay out of the political arena, Singson has already made up his mind to run for office in the coming elections.

Singson said he is accustomed to the dirty tactics in the country’s political arena — including allegations that gambling lords are supporting his candidacy.

"Gambling lords will never support my candidacy because I exposed them," he said.

To be consistent with his image as whistleblower, Singson said, the political jingles being composed for him carry such titles as "Isusumbong Kita" or "Huling Huli ka," which will rekindle his jueteng exposé that led to the eventual ouster and imprisonment of former President Joseph Estrada. Singson announced that he will join the senatorial race.

Last year, Pasig Rep Robert "Dodot" Jaworski gave Pacquiao the same unsolicited advice, saying that sports and politics do not mix.

Jaworski, who was a popular basketball player before making a successful bid for a congressional seat, said that, in sports, everyone observes the rules and that fair play is strictly observed, while participants in the political arena are used to throwing dirt at each other. — Perseus Echeminada