MVP for president?

I find it alarming and morbidly entertaining, being in broadcast news, observing the ebb and flow of politics in our country. It seems every move is questioned and questionable, and everybody’s throwing mud at everybody. We’ve seen a change in the Senate presidency, announcements of candidacy, and tectonic shifts in political alliances, all in the last few weeks alone.

Those of us in the sports community started hearing a murmur, initially in jest, but growing more serious as the weeks went by. Now, a few veteran politicians and some members of the business community – who for the time being requested anonymity – are echoing the sentiment in private but powerful circles. And the volume is getting louder.

Why not convince Manny Pangilinan to run for president?

At first blush, the notion comes as a surprise, most probably because the chair of PLDT is not on the political radar. But, if Manny Villar is to be believed, one of the qualifications is to have at least a billion pesos in your bank account, and a great degree of success.

Just Thursday, Pangilinan, as chair of Metro Pacific, led a group that presented to President Arroyo a proposed P38 billion road construction project whose first phase will connect Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to Valenzuela City, literally changing the face of Metro Manila. In the long run, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) intends to stretch the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to La Union, as well.

Pangilinan is most known for uniting the fractured basketball fraternity, save for a few immovably incorrigible old-timers who still want to have their own way above the interests of the majority. He has also brought a corporate sensibility and systematic approach to the search for talent in boxing, and has brought together the resources to create success in professional and amateur basketball. Talk n Text recently won another PBA championship; Ateneo broke a six-year drought in the UAAP, and San Beda has won three NCAA titles in a row after almost three decades of futility.

Though he is most famous for being a patron of sports, Pangilinan is first and foremost, a businessman whose interests are diverse, and a visionary who sees opportunity in the bleakest of times. In March of this year, MPIC acquired the rights to manage Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan, after entering into similar agreements with Makati Medical Center and Davao Doctors Hospital. The Cardinal Santos project was announced to entail a P250 million investment over the next three years to upgrade the hospital’s facilities.

Pangilinan, a former sales trainee who traversed remote reaches of the country early in his career, revealed his true leadership potential after he moved to Hong Kong as an overseas worker in 1991. He transformed a miniscule investment firm into First Pacific, which included in its portfolio Indofoods, the largest food company in Indonesia, and eventually, PLDT. PLDT now includes Smart Communications and many other affiliates.

MVP has not expressed any interest or desire to be in politics, and one may actually surmise that some people seem to think he has displayed an uncanny ability to solve every problem that others can’t seem to. In this writer’s opinion, the probable reason that his name is being bandied about now is that people are sick of traditional politicians and those who claim not to be. Perhaps another reason is that it usually takes at least one full year to mount a campaign of this magnitude, and the clock is ticking. On the other hand, historically, politicians are usually promoted from a local position like mayor or vice-mayor, to a national position like senator, before tackling a presidential campaign, none of which Pangilinan has done.

What may be the single biggest intangible that Pangilinan has is the desire to “own” optimism in the Philippines. Day in and day out, in my line of work, I see bad news that grabs headlines, and worse news, some of which doesn’t see print or broadcast. Still and all, the corporate culture in PLDT and Smart is one of “The Filipino can do,” which is why the Talk n Text championship documentary is entitled “Tropa ng Tagumpay,” a great rallying cry in these tough times.

At the end of the day, Mr. Pangilinan may just prefer to be a king-maker than king, but the mention of his name does get a reaction, no matter what circle you move in. For some who prefer the status quo, the reaction is sometimes fear.

Looking back, I recall what eventual Senator Robert Jaworski said when first approached to enter politics years before he decided to run.

“Mahirap na. Baka manalo.”