It is amusing to realize the great extents my political opponents go to just to put me down and even stop me from being visible to people in North Cotabato.
At 11 o’clock tonight (Dec. 5), GMA Channel 7 Sports head Marivic Araneta, who two weeks ago asked me to join the panel that will score and analyze the fourth encounter between Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez, apologetically told me that Network officials have decided not to include me in the panel because of “political issues.”
Actually, I already had an inkling of that development.
Last week, shortly after I announced on local radio that I will be in the panel which will work on the Pacquiao-Marquez national television coverage, I received a call from GMA 7 asking whether I had filed a certificate of candidacy for Governor in North Cotabato.
That early, I already suspected that my political opponents used their connections to make an issue about my appearance on national television.
There is no law prohibiting politicians who have filed their certificates of candidacy from doing media work or media appearances.
When I talked to Marivic last night, I told her that while their decision to drop me from the TV panel would cause a degree of embarrassment as people already knew I would be there in the panel, I told her not to worry as I could handle the situation well.
I actually felt offended because I did not offer myself to GMA 7. It was the network which invited me, as they had done in the past, because of my expertise in boxing and not because I am a poiitician.
But aside from ruffled pride, I can take this in stride. I have been in tougher and more embarrassing situations before. This one would not make me a lesser person.
I actually pity these people who are so green with envy with the way the people of North Cotabato show their love and respect for me.
One absence in a TV guesting actually would not even cause a dent on the burgeoning desire of the people to bring about change in North Cotabato.
Let’s enjoy the fight on pay-per-view!
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