Tuesday, April 17, 2007 Seares: ‘I-knock out ang corruption’ By Pachico A. Seares News Sense
I-KNOCK out ang corruption,” said a commercial aired between rounds of the Manny Paquiao-Jorge Solis match last Sunday.
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s message at first confused viewers: What was the lamps scandal doing in the TV ad? It soon struck them that Tomas was using it to sell himself: others are awfully dirty and he’s squeaky clean.
Then, there was President Glo who after Manny Pacquiao floored Mexican Jorge Solis with a poweful right hand, jubilantly cooed: “We must keep up the fight and win in all fronts...in the will to overcome the foes of poverty and injustice.”
Knock out corruption, poverty, and injustice. Wow. Both leaders using Pacquiao’s win as metaphor: vivid, current, in.
To the boxer, knockout is supreme triumph. “Kon-bin-sing!” as a radio ad would say. To the cheering crowd, watching the enemy go down in a flurry of rock-hard fists is ultimate thrill. Lust for blood without the blood.
KO is OK
In the messages of Mayor Tomas and President Glo, KO is OK. But examine motives.
Tomas tapped it to boost his reelection and wreak political fortunes of those charged with corruption: suspended mayors Ted Ouano (through his son Jonkie) of Mandaue and Boy Radaza of Lapu-Lapu. Knock out corruption by beating Jonkie and Boy?
Glo urges victory over poverty and injustice, a line she has used to survive attempts to unseat her.
Curiously though, no mention of corruption. But then the issue of graft is so sensitive it can blow up in Palace leaders’ faces.
Which must instruct lovers of the knockout: See that it’s done to the enemy, not to you.
