Friday, April 25, 2008 Speak out: Warning to Manny Pacquiao: beware By Efrain Pelaez Jr
(THIS is an open letter to boxer Manny Pacquiao)
Thank you for accepting the invitation from Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza to kill me again in this year’s Kadaugan sa Mactan Festival.
I suppose the Big Pugapos believe that by creating grand spectacles and celebrations on the island, and by inviting popular personalities to grace these occasions, the real issues and multimillion peso anomalies will somehow be forgotten.
No doubt, this is the handiwork of the press relations brigade of servile lackeys that is going on overdrive in anticipation of arrest warrants and more criminal charges and legal setbacks.
I just hope that the heroic symbolism you represent, and the role model that you have become to millions of aspiring youth in this country is not used by these politicians to burnish their already tarnished image.
They are simply borrowing your fame and popularity to prop up a tottering political dynasty that has been plagued by overpricing scandals and scams.
We salute you for your outstanding achievements in sports and the extraordinary honor you have brought to our country.
Since I have been bestowed the dubious honor by your present Lapu-Lapu City host as the new Magellan, and portrayed me as the circumnavigator of Hell destined to fall by the sword of Pugapo---it is best you discern that the true hero of the island is Lapu-Lapu---not this poor imitation that claims to be in his image.
This pugapo is certainly not a hero.
A national hero will not countenance the P25 million purchase of overpriced computers for school children.
A true hero will not authorize the blatant purchase of useless lampposts for P175 million, especially when it could have paid for thousands of resettlement homes instead.
There are many more examples of island scams lodged with the Ombudsman, and if Lapu-Lapu were alive today, I believe it will be Pugapo’s head that will be chopped off---not mine.
I hope you enjoy this year’s Kadaugan sa Mactan and the hospitality and love of the Oponganons.
I will continue to admire you and wish you even greater success. But my unsolicited advice remains---beware of bad company.
