EDITORIAL - Pacquiao cannot be exciting in Congress as in the ring

Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao once again united the Filipinos in his fight against formerly unbeaten Mexican Jorge Solis last Saturday in San Antontio, Texas. He again showed his unparalleled skills in disposing of the taller and bigger Solis in the eight round despite sustaining a cut in his right eye caused by an accidental head-butt.

Whenever Pacquiao fights, Filipinos from all walks of life would always be glued to their televisions. This makes him a truly unifying factor for the country''s 86 million souls now being divided by economic and political barriers.

But Pacquiao has another fight - this time outside the ring - that has already caused division among Filipinos as to whether he can excel or not. He decided to run for Congress against incumbent South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, a scion of a known political family who is one of the leading opposition voices in the House of Representatives.

The highly rated Filipino pugilist, considered as the world''s number one pound-for-pound artist, received jeers and cheers when he threw his hat into the political ring on grounds that he wanted to help the poor in his district whom he claimed to have been forgotten by those in power.

Although many, especially those in his district, supported his noble cause, we do not think he can be as good and exciting in the halls of Congress as in the boxing ring, where he gained respect worldwide. Most Filipinos think that once elected congressman, Pacquiao will have a hard time crafting laws because of his limited education and lack of experience.

This is not to say that Pacquiao would not make a prolific lawmaker or congressman since incompetence is not monopolized by celebrities. But he cannot be expected to shine in Congress because, as he said, he would continue to box to feed his family. He just cannot use his right hand to legislate laws to help the poor while with his left punch his boxing rivals till kingdom come.

Pacquiao has already helped the poor in his district by sharing with them his blessings every time he wins in the ring. Just a glimpse at the long queue at his home during celebrations and one can say he truly has a heart for the poor.