MANILA, Philippines—I have no doubts that to millions of OFWs everywhere, world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is a source of great pride. He is acclaimed as the best boxer pound for pound in the whole world.
All of us Filipinos are now hoping and praying that he will once again triumph on November 14, 2009 when he faces Miguel Coto for the world welterweight title.
In his last celebrated match with Ricky Hatton, he brought untold glory to the Philippines. And he did it with such humility and grace. Furthermore, he gave the millions of people all over the world who witnessed the fight an outstanding example of how he takes his Catholic faith seriously, throwing away any human respect by praying openly (especially in a country where displaying a crucifix publicly is declared illegal in some states).
Finally, as an economist, I can say that his victory in the ring could not have come at a better time. He did much to boost the optimism of his countrymen, counteracting the worldwide gloom brought about by the global recession. He might not have been aware of it but the high spirits of Filipinos could have added a few decimal points to the growth of our GDP this year since an optimistic mood usually contributes to higher consumption, all other things being equal. His possible victory over Coto could even make a 5 percent growth of GDP possible in 2010.
I am, however, very concerned about the advice Manny is getting from some people who may not necessarily be thinking of his welfare but of their own selfish interests. I am referring to his considering to run again for another political position.
Let us all join forces in giving him unsolicited advice. Manny, please avoid politics like the plague. You can do much more good for your country by devoting all your energies and resources to training some promising young Filipino boxers so that they can reap all the medals possible in boxing during the next Olympics in London in 2012. You have proved that Filipinos can be world class in boxing. With your leadership and guidance, the Philippines can be a world power in boxing in very much the same way that a small and poor country like Ethiopia has produced champions in track and field.
Just think of how a good number of young Filipinos are following your footsteps. Recently, Marvin Sonsona won the superflyweight championship. Then there are Donny Nietes, who is the minimum weight king; Nonito Donaire, superflyweight champ; and Brian Viloria, who bagged the lightflyweight prize. There must be many young Filipino teenagers who are still amateur boxers whom you can take under your wings and prepare them to win Olympic medals in 2012.
I have talked to my colleagues at the Makati Business Club and they are ready to mobilize support for you if you decide to be the boxing czar of the Philippines. I am sure your friend Manny Pangilinan will also be more than happy to help in your efforts to prepare Filipino boxers to win medals in the Olympics of 2012. There is no other person better situated and qualified than you to help our country finally stop the very long drought that we have suffered in the world Olympics. Without underestimating your leadership qualities that can be tapped in a political post, what we economists call the "opportunity cost" of your unique talents in boxing is too high to be wasted in what could be a mediocre post in local politics. There are others who can do that job. There is only one Manny Pacquiao who can bring more boxing glory to the Philippines.
Pushing our luck further in giving you unsolicited advice, let us also suggest that instead of getting involved in local politics in your region of Southern Cotabato you may want to support through your foundation some worthy NGOs that are contributing to the eradication of poverty. Among others, there is the Business Resource Center of the Notre Dame University of General Santos. It is one of the few local think tanks in the whole Philippines that are helping both government officials and private entrepreneurs to formulate realistic development plans for the good of the region. It conducts research on the economic situation in Southern Cotabato and identifies investment prospects for entrepreneurs. The BRC can help you identify development programs that you may want to support for the welfare of the entire region of Southern Cotabato.
You may also identify projects of Gawad Kalinga that has devised the most efficient approach to providing housing for the poor in the context of a holistic approach to community development. Then there are training programs for industrial workers as well as farmers that have been successful in other regions that you may want to have replicated in Southern Cotabato. In this search for effective models for poverty eradication, BRC can also help you identify the right partners. In short, I am asking you to act like a Bill Gates who uses a great part of his wealth to address the needs of the underprivileged in many parts of the world. Your world could be General Santos City and the surrounding areas.
If after eight years of producing world-class boxers for the 2012 and 2016 Olympics while acting as a local version of Bill Gates, you still aspire to enter politics, then you will be in a better position to convince the voters to elect you for a high national office, even as President, after you turn forty in 2019. By then, you would have brought more glory to the Philippines and would have acquired much knowledge about the requirements of development. But for now, we sincerely believe that entering politics can do you more harm than good. The email address of Manny Pacquiao is mannypacquiao@abante-tonite.com.
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