Boxing great not fit to be senator

Reports have it that Rep. Manny Pacquiao will run for senator under the banner of United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). It’s apparent that UNA’s leadership is thinking of fielding Pacquiao, using his popularity to prop up the chances of the opposition in the 2016 elections.

Just look at Pacquiao’s performance, or nonperformance, in the House of Representatives. In the first place, while he’s number one in boxing (until he was robbed of his victory in his fight with Floyd Mayweather, no thanks to the judges), he’s No. 1 in absences and nonparticipation in committee hearings and plenary sessions in the House.

If Pacquiao really wants to stay long in politics “to serve the people” (his words and that of his supporters), it would be better for him to run for an executive position such as a mayoral or gubernatorial office. But not for the legislature. It’s a deliberative body and he does not fit there.

Pardon my frankness and his fans may not like this: If elected to the Senate, Pacquiao will just be in the same league with the likes of Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Lito Lapid, the unofficial chair of the House “committee on silence,” who should stick to movies where they rightfully belong.

Kaya, dapat na pag-aralan ni Manny Paquiao kung ano ang dapat niyang kalagyan.

—EUSEBIO S. SAN DIEGO,  

founder, Kaguro and

former president,

Quezon City Public School Teachers Association,

essandiego@ymail.com