Thursday, May 17, 2007 Sports officials: Manny better off with boxing than politics By Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan
SPORTS officials agreed that boxing hero Manny Pacquaio's defeat at the hands of Darlene Antonino-Custodio for the first district congressional seat of South Cotabato is a welcome development to the Filipino people rather than a sad one.
But Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William "Butch" Ramirez, the highest sports official in the land, said Pacquiao must prepare early for the next elections if he really wants to pursue a political career.
"It's a democratic country. He (Pacquaio) submitted himself to a democratic process yet he lost. He can start preparing for the next elections," Ramirez told Sun.Star Davao.
"Leadership is not instant. It is sown. The electoral populace in General Santos hasn’t yet seen his leadership," Ramirez added.
Ramirez disagrees with one local news story that said politics and sports don't mix.
"We need politicians in sports. We need teachers, engineers, artists and what have you. It's unfair to say that politics and sports don't go together. Sports can even also go with economics," the PSC chief said.
Lawyer Manny Nitorreda, coach of the University of Mindanao (UM) Wildcats basketball team, said: "As a boxer, he's simply the best. But being congressman is an entirely different matter.
With all the money that he's been throwing away, Pacquaio can help the needy without becoming a politician. The credit should go to the voters of GenSan for voting wisely."
Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (Pasa) regional director Deedee Gonzalez, likewise, said the people of GenSan have spoken.
"He can still serve the people in any way he can without entering into politics," Gonzalez said.
Philippine Amateur Baseball Association (Paba) regional director Joaquin "Boy" Sarabia, also Davao Region Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) executive director, was quick to say: "Good for him. He doesn't belong to politics. He should concentrate on his boxing career. People will love him as hero of Philippine sports."
In a related statement, Davao City Sports Council, President Vic Sai said, "Magdula lang siya. Mag-boxing lang. Nahimo siya ug idol sa iyang mga kababayan tungod sa boxing.
Dili na siya dapat magsulod sa pulitika (He just better engaged in boxing because that's where he became everybody's idol. He should no longer enter into politics)."
The veteran Custodio was way ahead in the congressional race but Pacquaio, according to reports, was not yet ready to concede unless the winner has been proclaimed.
