Pacquiao Calling in Political Favors

To Run For Office in May 14 Election

Written By William Trillo and Nat Gottlieb
Foto Folly: Bret "The Threat" Newton

Although Manny Pacquiao said on Filipino TV two days ago he will definitely run for elected office in the May 14 mid-term elections, sources close to the boxer told Pound4Pound.com he cannot legally run for election without some behind-the-scenes help from his close friend, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, President of the Philippines.   Pacquiao has said in the past he wants to run for either Mayor of General Santos City, where he lives, or national senator. But our sources say Pacquiao finds himself in a legal bind needing some political favors:   According to Filipino law, to run for a city Mayorship, a candidate has to have been a resident of the area for at least a year preceding the elections. In typical flighty Pacquiao style, however, last year he moved his official residence base to Manila in anticipation of running for Vice Mayor.

Then Mr. Flip-Flop decided he would rather be Mayor of General Santos City, where he has his primary residence among numerous ones throughout the country.

So Manny transferred his official resident back to General Santos City in December of 2006, which is not within the one-year requirement.

Of course having friends in very high places could pave the way for Manny to run for Mayor anyway. He has petitioned the Commissioner of national elections for an exemption, or barring that, perhaps a clerical error could be found that would show he was registered in General Santos City for a year. Our sources say it would not be surprising if he got the exemption because he has frequently been granted favors people who aren't national heros have gotten.

For example. There is a national law that if you import a car, you must pay a tarrif to the Philippines government equal to the price of the car. Manny brought his fancy Porche, Mercedes and some other cars home from America and paid no tax, our sources said.

Another example. There is a national gun ban law that prohibits anyone from carrying a gun six months prior to an election, including off-duty cops. Manny secured an exemption for 20 people to carry guns, saying he needed them for his multitude of bodyguards that protect him and his family.

Manny is waiting on the election commission to decide if he can run for Mayor. If denied, he  thinks he will be able to run for Senator, which requires only that he has been a resident of the country for a year. That is why he did not announce which office he was running for two days ago on Filipino TV. 

But Manny didn't do his homework. He cannot run for Senator because you must be 35 years of age, and last time we looked he was seven years shy. Also, he doesn't meet educational requirements. But hell, Manny owns the Philippines. If he can bring the entire country to a standstill, halt crime rate to zero and bring a rebel ceasefire when he fights, he probably can get an exception on that, too. 

Meanwhile, in Manny's soap opera world, the plot thickens.

The powerful Pedro Acharon family in General Santos City has controlled the government since well before Manny was born. In fact, when he was poor and on his way up, the family, like Don Corleone, gave Manny and his mother money to help him survive.

Hearing that her son wanted to run against the Acharon Mayor, Manny's mother went on Filipino TV in tears begging her son not to run against the Acharon Mayor, because of all the family has done for him. Sources say even if Manny defies his mother and runs for Mayor he could easily lose, so powerful is the grip of the Acharons on General Santos City.

In "As Manny's World Turns," there is another development. His personal lawyer, Jerry Gacca, is encouraging him to run for Mayor because he wants to run as Vice Mayor, knowing he could ride his client's coat tails into office without spending a dime on campaigning or worrying about popularity.

Want more?

One of the requirements for office is a high school diploma. Manny, a dropout does not have one. Or didn't. Two days ago he took the equivalent of the American GED test. Results are not in. Wanna bet he passes?

Had your soap opera fix yet? No? Here's more.

Manny's next fight will be in Texas on April 21 against an unnamed opponent. His advisor, Waki Salud, said on Filipino TV yesterday that it would be against a South African fighter, but he would not release the name. Duh. Guess what South African is IBF junior lightweight champion. If you said, Malcolm Klaassen go to the head of the class. But before you give yourself a passing grade take into account that he is scheduled to battle another South African, Mzonke Fana on May 5th, I think there is another fight that day if my memory serves me correctly so maybe one if not both of those guys will find a way out of that Oscar-Floyd dead-end and into a live Texas  fight  come April. Cassius Baloyi , another who hails from South Africa just Ko'd his victim in less than 3 is available as well. Odds favor Klassen, but don't count the other 2 out, not whlie this Soap Opera is still being written.

In the "I-Am-Above-The-Law" category, Manny did the following for this fight. There is a national law that a candidate cannot spend money on TV ads during the 45 days preceding an election. So Manny got the original date of the fight, April 12, moved to April 21, closer to the election for the publicity value. Perfectly legal. Fighting on TV is not considered a campaign ad.

Let's see, did we leave anything out? Not sure, but since this is a soap opera, just tune in to Pound4Pound.com tomorrow, as Manny Pacquiao's World churns on.

Just a thought. But if Manny blames his first loss to Erik Morales on outside distractions, duh -- you gotta wonder if being a Mayor of Senator constitutes a "distraction." Maybe Manny needs a reality TV show: "Watch Manny Pacquiao Self-Destruct."


Questions Or Comments? Email Will "The Thrill" Trillo