Wednesday, April 04, 2007 Maxey: Reverse psychology By Ram Maxey Bar None
EVERYTIME Filipino boxing icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao won a bout in the United States, especially over Mexican opponents, Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio of the first congressional district of South Cotabato, which includes General Santos City, would cause the passage of a resolution in Congress citing his accomplishment.
And each time he came home following a victory, Pacman would be given a tumultuous hero's welcome by his townmates by way of a motorcade that ended with a courtesy call on Pacquiao fan, Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr., at the city hall.
Not anymore. Pacman is no longer Darlene's hero after he filed his certificate of candidacy against reelectionist Darlene in the May 14 elections. She has even asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for a total ban on all news about Pacquiao not related to his candidacy, including the telecast of his bout against undefeated Mexican Jorge Solis in San Antonio, Texas slated April 14 (April 15 in the Philippines).
Mayor Acharon, who is running for reelection in Darlene's slate, will no longer honor Pacquiao with a motorcade when he flies back to GenSan after the Solis fight, whether he wins it or not.
By opposing the telecast in the Philippines of Pacquiao's bout with Solis, Antonino-Custodio's camp will only succeed in enraging Filipino fight fans and turn them against the reelectionist on election day. For not allowing Pacman's fans to welcome him with a motorcade, the spiteful mayor would only be showing his "littleness."
I received a text message from someone in GenSan who said that Pacman is being supported by political has-beens and losers and that his camp has not even started campaigning seriously. Moreover, the text message said Darlene is being backed up by the tested Antonio political machinery and has the support of all first district mayors plus South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Fuentes.
I texted back saying, while Pacman has no business running for a congressional seat, his popularity with the masses cannot be denied and is a big, big plus in his favor. A sensational win over Solis would trigger a tsunami of adulation that will carry forward to May 14, has-beens or no has-beens. And it may not only be Solis who will suffer a "knockout".
It will take a lot of will-power for Darlene and Acharon to do the "unthinkable" -- wishing that Pacman beats Solis and joining GenSanites in welcoming him home after the fight. That would be a sight to remember, indeed. And it might even work in their favor, who knows?
