Atienza for President? If Pacman has his way

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao is pushing Environment Secretary Lito Atienza to run for President in the 2010 elections.

The boxing icon who’s also running for Congress in Saranggani Province said Monday evening that if he could have his way he’d like to see the former mayor of Manila and now Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to become the next President.

He said Atienza’s accomplishments even when he was still Manila mayor speaks well of him.

“If you’d ask me who should sit as our next President, I should say it’s Lito Atienza. He’s pro-people, pro-country, pro-natural resources and pro-God,” said Pacquiao after gracing the inauguration of the Manila Grand Opera Hotel Casino in Manila.

“We all saw how he beautified the city of Manila. He lighted it up and developed the city. He gave away scholarships to the poor. I think he deserves to sit as our next President,” said Pacquiao.

But that’s if Atienza would run against those who have signified their intentions, including former President Joseph Estrada, Senators Loren Legarda, Manny Villar, Mar Roxas, Chiz Escudero and Richard Gordon, MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando, Makati Mayor Jojo Binay, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

“If you’d ask me, Secretary Atienza should be our next president. But it’s up to him,” added Pacquiao in Filipino.

“I think he can help change our country. In our moments together, I have known him as someone who’s pro-poor. He said he wants to provide jobs for every Filipino, and keep the beggars off the streets. He said if they have jobs then they won’t beg,” said Pacquiao.

Pacquiao ran for a congressional seat in his hometown in Gen. Santos City in 2007 but, despite his closeness to Malacañang, lost to incumbent Darlene Custodio.

He wants to give it another shot in Saranngani, and it seems that he’s now doing it under the banner of the opposition. A few days ago, he met with Estrada in GenSan and got the endorsement of the ex-President.

“I’ve known Manny Pacquiao as pro-poor because he was once poor. Yes, I endorse him,” said Estrada, who raised the hand of the boxer.

“I want to extend my gratitude to President Estrada,” said Pacquiao, “because it’s not only in boxing where he supports me but in my hopes of fulfilling my dreams.”

Pacquiao, however, said he has not yet made any commitment to anyone. – Abac Cordero