November 22, 2009, 5:18pm
KIAMBA, Sarangani – World pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao said he is determined to win the lone congressional seat of Sarangani next year, with his newly minted People’s Champ Movement fielding a complete slate of candidates from governor down to mayors and councilors in the province.“I am running for congressman in Sarangani,” Pacquiao said unequivocally in an interview in his house here after he, his wife Jinkee and mom Dionisia arrived from Manila via General Santos City last Saturday.
The decision to run in Sarangani doused cold water on the suggestion of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Jose Atienza Jr. for the boxing icon to run in the party-list national elections where Pacquiao is expected to win an easy victory.
Now a legend in boxing history when he wrested the WBO welterweight crown from Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas last November 14, Pacquiao said his People’s Champ Movement party will field a complete slate in Sarangani.
General Santos City Mayor Jun Acharon led city officials in welcoming Pacquiao and party at the General Santos City International Airport. Pacquiao rode a float and waved his hands amid cheers from people lining up the streets as the champ’s motorcade passed by.
Pacquiao, however, refused to name whom he will support for president in next year’s free-for- all presidential elections, with President Arroyo stepping down after completing her six-year term.
“It’s too early yet. I’ll decide whom to support for president when the right time comes,” an evasive Pacquiao quipped, even as reports said Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar and Lakas-Kampi bet former Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro are luring him to their side.
Businessman Juan Domino, PCM gubernatorial bet, said he differed with Pacquaio’s preference for president, saying he is inclined to support Liberal Party presidential candidate Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and his running mate Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas.
“The party will talk whom to support for president and vice president, although it is really difficult for us to unite. Maybe we can coalesce with the NP, LP when it comes to national elective positions,” Domino said.
Pacquiao has readied at least half a billion peso as campaign kitty to ensure that his popularity is converted into votes and win against businessman Roy L. Chiongbian, brother of outgoing Rep. Erwin Chiongbian and son of the late Rep. James L. Chiongbian and former Gov. Priscilla L. Chiongbian of the Sarangani Reforms and Reconciliation Organization-Lakas-Kampi Party.
Governor Migs Dominguez, a party mate of Chiongbian, is the newly elected Lakas-Kampi President. Dominguez, a grandson of the taipan Alcantara family, is seeking re-election with Vice-Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon as his running mate.
Pacquiao and Domino will file their certificates of candidacy on December 1, the last day of filing, while the boxing champion proclaimed Sunday his entire slate at the posh Isla Parilla Resort in Alabel, capital town of Sarangani.
Mayor Corazon Grafilo of Alabel and his entire ticket filed their COC’s Sunday kicking off the filing of the candidacies in the next days of six other municipal candidates of Sarangani – Malapatan, Glan, Malungon, Maasim, Kiamba and Maitum in the presence of Pacquiao and Domino, said lawyer Babes Gulle, PCM secretary general.
In a speech in Maasim, Kiamba and Maitum before thousands of supporters, Pacquiao thanked the Filipino people for their prayers that made him win his megabuck fight against Cotto.
“The Filipino did it – to win the 7th world boxing crown in the 7th weight division. We made history in Las Vegas. My victory is your victory. I thank God for giving me extra speed and power to subdue my opponent,” a smiling Pacquiao told roaring crowds each time he spoke to his followers in the three towns of Sarangani.
“I believe we will win the big fight in 2010. Together we can do many things in Sarangani. I want to help my people,” Pacquiao added.
Meanwhile, Malacañang said it is not at all peeved over news that Pacquiao would join Villar’s Nacionalista Party instead of the administration party.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde Sunday said they respect the decision of Pacquiao.
“We have no hard feelings toward Pacquiao,” Remonde said in Filipino over government radio.
“That’s something between Manny Villar and Pacquiao. We are not meddling in the matter. We will not take it against him if that happens,” he added.
Remonde however said Pacquiao’s inclusion in the Nacionalista Party is not yet final.
Villar earlier invited Pacquiao to become NP’s congressional bet in Sarangani. The senator sought Pacquiao’s approval during a meeting at the Manila Hotel last Friday.
Even the administration party is seeking out Pacquiao. Last week, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Pacquiao is welcome to join Lakas-Kampi-CMD party if he pursues his congressional bid in his home town. He acknowledged that Pacquiao, touted the world’s greatest boxer, is an asset to any political party.
Source: http://mb.com.ph/articles/230711/pacman-sarangani-or-bust
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