Spiritual Manny, materialistic ‘Money’

In “Manny’s extravagance unbecoming a public official” (Opinion, 5/2/15), Rene A.V. Saguisag castigated the “pambansang kamao” (Manny Pacquiao) for the insensitive and ostentatious display of his wealth. “Were he a private citizen, that would be nobody’s business. But our laws direct that public officers lead modest lives,” Saguisag wrote.

We partly agree. Pacquiao’s being “dirt poor” as a boy is no excuse for him to now flaunt his numerous mansions and fleet of out-of-this-world expensive cars before his countrymen, a great number of whom are wallowing in filth and squalor! If he truly believes in what he is now earnestly preaching, he should plow his God-endowed “blessings” back for the benefit of the poor. For did not Jesus Christ himself say to the rich, leave everything behind if you want to “follow me”?

Apparently, the “pastors” surrounding him are themselves not in the least inclined to counsel him against basking too much in his earthly megawealth—and—what?—risk losing his “fellowship” and the obligatory “tithe” (10 percent of P1 billion is P100 million, dude!)? But that’s really between them and God. If Pacquiao feels that somehow such “sharing” mitigates the guilt for his family’s profligate lifestyle, so be it.

Nevertheless, in the Philippines, there is Article 25 of the Civil Code that generally proscribes “thoughtless extravagance” in times of public want. That Pacquiao might have really “thought” hard about ways of spending all that pile of money is still no argument in a country constantly plagued by disasters and in perpetual need of public financial support and world aid for the poor. Thus, unlike Saguisag, we make no distinction whether he is a public official or an ordinary citizen. Such extravagance needs to be moderated.

Lest it be misunderstood, no one is saying poverty in this country is Pacquiao’s burden; but the point is, his family should not rub it in. Could they not enjoy their enormous fortunes more quietly or modestly? Ayan, na-BIR tuloy!   Advertising their conspicuous consumption here and abroad (more so here on the part of his obstreperous mother) does make the Pacquiaos look “more mayabang…” of the nouveau riche genre (“Pacquiao is a great boxer, but…,” Opinion, 5/4/15).

Seriously, in terms of self-indulgence, how is “spiritual” Manny any different from materialistic “Money” (Floyd Mayweather Jr.)?

—ANGELI O. MARCONI,

angzheli5555@gmail.com