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Manny “Pacman” Paquiao is Retiring in 2009

Posted on 02. Sep, 2008 by dimaks in News, Sports

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Many times boxing champ Manny Pacman Pacquiao announced his intention to retire from boxing in 2009. Pacquiao said on Monday that he will be retiring from the boxing ring next year and will be trying again his luck to run in an election to serve in public office in the coming 2010 elections. Here is Manny Pacquiao’s statement:

Sigurado na, na tatakbo ako [It is sure, I am running],” said Pacquiao at Camp Crame, headquarters of the Philippine National Police, where he was sworn in as member of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi, Partner of the Free Filipino), by Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, who is also president of the party founded by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Although there is still no distinct position for Manny Pacquiao to run in the coming election, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said, he will be a great help if he runs for congressman or as a local government official. Secretary Puno added that “the one year lull between boxing and the elections should not be a disadvantage for Pacquiao…. He will rest [and] will have a year to prepare for the elections. Surely, people will not forget him in just one year. It might take a decade for them to do that.”

My take:
To how many fights Manny Pacquiao can still handle, and whatever government service and position he intends to run for, my simple and basic instinct says that he better stick to his boxing career and develop other aspiring and potential Filipino boxing enthusiasts to become more competitive. Pacquiao already tried his luck in the 2007 elections where he contested for a congressional seat of the first district of South Cotabato but lost to Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio. Of course there is no harm in trying the second time around but look – he already earned a figurative statue for being dubbed as the “National Fist”, reached the peak of his prime in terms of world titles, top national athlete and endorser and now he suddenly jumps into the pit of politics? Even an elementary grade student could tell that Manny Pacquiao have not had any sparring matches on the canvass of politics. We know who is going to benefit big time from his political engagements in the future. We know who will take the roller coaster ride. We know who will be sitting pretty while Pacman sits in his office, trying to figure out how to deal with the on going issues on education, health and sanitation, informal settlement, waste disposal and governance as a whole. I like Manny Pacquiao because he is a great boxer and he showed his vast excellence in it. But that’s it. If he wants to excel further, he better invest his money (not that I am very good in this) wisely by engaging in more philanthropic deeds. Did I hear the war-torn Mindanao and its displaced residents?

Anyway, here is a video of Manny Pacquiao announcing his plans to retire and go for public service. Watch the video with wide open eyes and a bit-of-contemplative mind then tell me your reactions afterward.

Source: http://sports.inquirer.net/breakingnews/

Tags: manny pacquiao, manny pacquiao 2009, manny pacquiao 2010, manny pacquiao retirement, pacman retirement, pacquiao candidacy