Pacman declares 'Champ' local bets

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines – World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao proclaimed yesterday the provincial and municipal candidates for the 2010 elections running under his party, the People’s Champ Movement (PCM), at Isla Parilla Resort in Alabel, Sarangani.

Pacquiao reiterated that he is running for congressman in the lone district of Sarangani but he declined to name any presidential candidate he would support.

“I believe we will win the big fight in the 2010 election. I am confident because my family and you who are my inspiration are with me,” Pacquiao said to thousands of fans that welcomed him in Kiamba, Sarangani where he proceeded after a motorcade through the city’s major thoroughfares.

General Santos City Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. and Rep. Darlene Custodio, who defeated Pacquiao in the last congressional polls in the city in 2007, led residents in welcoming Pacquiao at the city’s international airport last Saturday.

Pacquiao appealed for the support and prayers of the people.

He quoted the motto of the late Mother Theresa and said: “You can do what I cannot do, I can do what you cannot do, but together we can do great things.”

The boxer will challenge businessman Roy Chiongbian, the elder brother of Rep. Erwin Chiongbian in the congressional race for the lone district of Sarangani.

Pacquiao promised to address poverty in Sarangani, considered by the National Statistics Office as one of the 10 poorest provinces in the country.

The candidates that Pacquiao proclaimed included businessman Juan Domino for governor and newly retired provincial administrator Fred Basino for vice governor.

Domino defeated Lucille Chiongbian in the congressional race in 1998 elections but failed to assume his post due to lack of residency.

The seven bets for mayor are: Mayor Reynaldo Constantino, Malungon town; Mayor Corazon Grafilo, Alabel town ; Board member James Yap, Glan town; Board member Raul Martinez, Kiamba; James Ablog Jr., Maitum; former mayor Alfonso Singcoy, Malapatan; and Fortunato Albores Jr., Maasim.

Pacquiao also clarified reports that he is supporting Nacionalista Party presidential candidate Manny Villar.

Pacquiao said he had not yet made any decision on who will get his support in the presidential race.

“I have not made any commitment with any political party in the national level,” Pacquiao said, but confirmed that he is talking with Villar on the possibility of merging his party, People’s Champ Movement with NP.

He said he would later announce his decision on who will get his support.

Meanwhile, while on the way to Kiamba town, a 60 year-old woman was killed after a motorcycle she was riding as part of the convoy of Pacquiao crashed in the national highway.   

The fatality was identified as Paulita Dumalag, a member of Karancho Motorcycle Club that joined the motorcade of Pacquiao from General Santos to Sarangani.

Allan Avid, Karancho director, said the victim’s motorcycle crashed after it was sideswiped by a speeding van along the highway in Barangay Katubao in Kiamba.

“She succumbed to internal hemorrhage in the head and died on her way to a hospital in General Santos City,” Avid said.

Pacquiao said he would shoulder all the expenses for the victim’s burial and financial assistance to the family.

GMA won’t convince Pacquiao

A Malacañang officials disclosed yesterday that President Arroyo would not try to convince Pacquiao to join the administration party since he is too big a national treasure to be confined to a political party.

Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio was reacting to the announcement of Nacionalista Party presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Villar that Pacquiao will be running for congressman of Sarangani province under the NP banner.

Pacquiao is known to be close to the President, who recently conferred on him the Order of Sikatuna, an award for exceptional and meritorious services to the Philippines.

“If NP is interested in getting Manny Pacquiao, we will not try to compete with them or make a counter offer. Manny is a world sports icon and our own living legend and crown jewel,” Claudio said.

He said Pacquiao belongs to all Filipinos, so it might be wiser for him to be above partisan identities.

Claudio said if Pacquiao wants to run for a congressional seat in the May 2010 elections, it would be better for him to run under the party-list system where he can represent a broader national constituency.

“The NP might also do well to be more circumspect about its recruitment policies and think of what it might deprive the rest of the Filipino people,” he said.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the Palace would not begrudge whatever decision Pacquiao would make on the matter.

He said as far as he knows, the boxing icon has not decided on joining the NP.

“That is something between Manny Villar and Manny Pacquiao. We don’t want to interfere in their affairs,” Remonde told the government-run Radyo ng Bayan. - With Paulo Romero