Senate not for Manny Pacquiao

I could not help but be amused when I read the letter titled “Manny to KO House” (Opinion, 9/25/14) written by no less than former senator Rene A.V. Saguisag. With a brilliant lawyer like him, I could not agree more.

But I have a confession to make: I am a big fan of Manny Pacquiao because of his boxing prowess. Like the rest of his followers, I highly believe there can be no one like him. The honors he brought to our country are beyond compare. And like what is felt by millions of his avid fans, I take my hat off to him. Indeed, he deserves all the accolades for his boxing feats. No question of his being the best in the sport.

I highly admire the man for his extraordinary discipline and persistence that empowered him to rise from rags to riches. Truly, he is worth emulating for being a cut above the rest.

However, Vice President Jojo Binay’s pronouncement that Manny is his first choice for senator should be taken with a grain of salt. No way. And for goodness’ sake, Manny should not be in delusion that the Senate is for him.

I wonder what distinct contribution he has made as a two-term representative of the lone congressional district of Sarangani province.

The Senate is not simply for moneyed people. It is not a place for the enterprising, clever few who want to get more money from government coffers.

Could we not bring back intellectual members to the House of Representatives and the Senate? Could we not consider substance and integrity among the qualities of a person we elect to Congress?

People around Manny, including VP Binay, should not use, abuse and confuse the man we regard highly inside the boxing ring. For goodness’ sake, let’s put decency both in the House and in the Senate. Being elected to office is not simply a matter of being popular. There is more to being addressed as “honorable.”

—BELEN DOCENA-ASUELO,

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