Pacquiao throws 1st punch in race

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:43:00 12/13/2009






Filed Under: Politics, Elections, Eleksyon 2010, Pacquiao


Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20091213-241731/Pacquiao-throws-1st-punch-in-race


MANILA, Philippines--World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has thrown the first punch against his rival for the congressional seat of the lone district of Sarangani in the 2010 elections.

Pacquiao’s local political party, the People’s Champ Movement (PCM), has filed a petition in the Commission on Elections seeking the disqualification of Roy L. Chiongbian on the grounds that he is not a resident of the province and that he entered false information in his candidacy documents.

Pacquiao, who last month wrested the welterweight crown from Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto to win his seventh world title, is president of PCM, which was founded in 2008 in General Santos City.

“It is most respectfully prayed of this honorable commission to deny due course and cancel the certificate of candidacy of respondent Roy L. Chiongbian for member, House of Representatives, representing the province of Sarangani,” the three-page petition read.

PCM said Chiongbian has not lived in Purok 1, Barangay Kling, Kiamba, Sarangani, as he stated in his certificate of candidacy (CoC).

‘Used and abused’

Chiongbian’s Sarangani address “was used and abused for election purposes only. Respondent could hardly be seen thereat,” the petition said.

The petition included an affidavit by PCM secretary general Raul Martinez, former mayor of Kiamba, who said that Chiongbian only arrived in the town in June this year.

A candidate for Congress must have lived in the district he seeks to represent for at least one year.

“Respondent made a material misrepresentation in his CoC to make it appear that he met the residency requirement for the position he is running for,” the PCM said.

Ayala Alabang resident

PCM said Chiongbian’s real residence was in Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City, noting that the candidate had a “huge business interest” in Metro Manila.

The PCM said Chiongbian holds executive positions in Eastern International Plastic Packaging, Eastern Shipping Lines Inc. and Japri Container Terminal Inc., all of which are located in the metropolis.

Chiongbian, 60, belongs to a Sarangani political family. His brother Edwin is the current representative of the province and his parents used to be governors.

This is Pacquiao’s second foray into politics. In 2007, he ran for representative of General Santos City but lost to the incumbent, Darlene Antonino-Custodio.
Kristine Alave


Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20091213-241731/Pacquiao-throws-1st-punch-in-race