Manny Pacquiao, "The People's Champion"

Manny spent around 170 million pesos for the election. That's more than $3 million. What a waste! Can he even afford to lose that much given his lifestyle and his vices? He could have donated that huge amount to Gawad Kalinga so the foundation can build 2,800 more safe and beautiful houses for poor Filipinos living in slums. I know its his money to lose but he wanted to lose it just to be able to be in a position to "serve" the people. Where did he even get the idea that congressmen serve the people?

Don't be too hard on the GCM mentioned in the linked Inquirer article. His greed helped show Manny's inability and unwillingness to think for himself. Why else would Manny have let the GCM handle the campaign despite getting bad advice, poor results and a much thinner wallet from him? Manny's really a bad judge of character. He cannot distinguish good people from bad as his associations with Gloria, Chavit, GCM, Murad Muhammad et. al. show. He is lucky to have Freddie Roach in his corner. What would have happened to Gen San if Manny had won? This GCM and his friends would be in positions of power that will only lead to wide-scale corruption. How in the hell did Manny come up with the idea that he can distinguish good laws from bad, much less read them?

In case you still believe Manny fights for the Filipino people, you must look objectively at what he does. His running for Congress, his album, his crap movie, his womanizing speak only of his love for himself and his huge ego. He fights for himself, for money and what stature his victories gives him. He is willing to to sacrifice legislative agenda for Gen San and its people as long as he gets to call himself "Congressman". Too bad...

Manny's boxing legacy will be tainted forever by what he did (and does) outside the ring. He does not deserve to be mentioned in the same breath with Gabriel "Flash" Elorde. The Flash simply had much more skill, more class, and more humility. Elorde paved the way for mainstream recognition for Filipino fighters in the boxing world. He had no delusions of grandeur. Manny is just a great fighter with great opportunities to earn money. I will still watch Manny's fights and cheer for him but I will view him as the man he is. No more and no less...

Kudos to Gen San voters who voted against him. Sometimes, the electoral process in the Philippines does work!

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