Party loyalty versus friendship GO BINAY OR DUTERTE? PACMAN’S HARD CHOICE

By Manny Piñol

Filipino boxing icon and Saranggani Congressman Manny Pacquiao is being bashed in the social media again for his presence in the launching of the political party United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) headed by embattled Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Pictures showing the Pacman behind Binay during the oath taking of UNA members immediately led to the conclusion that he will support the Presidential bid of the most hated political figure in the country today.

I believe it is too early to conclude that Pacquiao will turn his back on his friend, Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte, if ever the latter would finally decide to run for President, and go for a politician whose name is synonymous to corruption, impunity and the lack of respect for judicial processes.

People have to know the real Manny Pacquiao to understand that he is a simple man and very forgiving person who does not abandon his friends.

I know of some inside stories in the Pacquiao camp to be able to understand the personality of the Pacman.

Early on in his US campaign, his driver and the latter’s wife whom he entrusted with some of his earnings, forged his checks and emptied Pacman’s bank account.

It was in the news and the driver’s wife was deported back to the Philippines.

But very characteristic of Manny, the driver was forgiven and was seen hanging around the Pacman camp during his training for his big fights.

When he lost in the shocking 6th round knockout to nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez, the people whose faces were often seen squeezing into the small TV camera frame whenever the Pacman was interviewed after his victorious fights disappeared.

They came back again when Manny started winning.

“Dios na ang bahala sa kanila,” Manny would tell friends who ask him why he has forgiven and taken back people who have betrayed his trust and abused his kindness.

Pacquiao’s entry into the opposition camp, first with the Nacionalista Party (NP) of former president candidate Manny Villar and later with Binay’s UNA was a logical consequence of the local political set up in General Santos City and Saranggani Province where his political rival, the Antonino political clan, has boxed him out of the administration party.

It is early to even conclude that Manny will back Binay’s Presidential bid.

In a news item I read in one of the major dailies following the UNA launching, Manny told a reporter who asked him whether he was supporting Binay that the issue of the Presidency was not on his table yet.

I believe Manny is caught between his membership with Binay’s UNA and his respect for his friend Rody Duterte who helped promote his first multi-million fight against Thailand’s Frakhaphorb Rakkiatgym in Davao City in 2002.

“Kailangan natin ng Presidente na may Kamay na Bakal,” he told me during a light moment of his training for his fight against American Chris Algieri.

Pacquiao likes and respects Rody Duterte.

In fact, prior to his fight against Floyd Mayweather he teased me during my visit to his Hancock residence in Hollywood, California that I was not the only Duterte supporter in the group.

He pointed to a coffee mug marked DUTERTE 2016 and playfully held it up for my camera.

I believe the picture shows where Pacquiao’s heart is.

In the end, I believe that Manny Pacquiao will run, either for reelection as Congressman or for a Senate seat, as an independent candidate.

People who consider boxers as brainless sluggers, both inside the boxing ring and the political arena, could be wrong with their views on Manny Pacquiao.

(Photo caption: Manny Paquiao holds a DUTERTE 2016 coffee mug in his Hollywood, California home before the Mayweather fight. Manny Piñol)