By Al S. Mendoza

 

IS Manny Pacquiao running for president in May 2022?

He has not said yes. Or even no.

But his actions clearly point to that, judging from his two recent social media blasts showing him championing the cause of the Filipino masses.

Why would he do that if he was not up to something big?

We were not born yesterday, fellas.

He told Ted Failon during TV 5’s “DJ Cha Cha & Ted Failon” Monday to Friday morning program this week he would aspire for one of two positions next year.

“It’s either that I run for senator again or aspire for the highest position of the land,” he said.

Wow! Wasn’t that a blast?

Was he trying to be cute?

Does he know about semantics now?

Isn’t the presidency the highest position of the land?

Nice try, Manny.

When asked of Sara Duterte’s chances of winning the presidency should the President’s daughter decide to go for it, Pacquiao said:  “Only the people can decide on that.”

Even in politics, he, sure, knows how to find his way out when cornered against the ropes.  Sara’s still an ally, you know.

On his coming fight against Errol Spence of New York for the world welterweight crown, Pacquiao said he’d leave for the United States first week of July.

“I will miss the President’s State of the Nation address in July,” said Pacquiao, who will train at his favorite Wild Card Gym under the usual watchful eyes of the legendary Freddie Roach in Los Angeles, California.

Spence is no pushover in their August 21 fight in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Besides being much taller than the 5-foot-6 Pacquiao, the 5-foot-10 Spence is unbeaten in 27 fights, with 21 knockouts.

“I beat the much-taller Cotto (Miguel, 5-11), so there’s no problem with the height disadvantage,” said Pacquiao.

Spence, at 31, is 11 years younger than the 42-year-old Pacquiao.

“I will train hard as I usually do, so no problem with the age difference, either,” Pacquiao said.

The sitting senator cannot afford to lose to Spence as a debacle could be a disaster to his Palace bid.

A loss in a world championship bout would create a dent, a big scar, on Pacquiao’s image, especially that the psyche of the Filipino masses is, they hate losers.

Anyway, Pacquiao said he has two campaign promises when he finally runs for president.

“One, I’ll stop corruption,” he said.  “And, two, I’ll provide a home for every homeless Filipino in our country.”

Big, fighting words.

When he ran for senator and finished No. 7 among 12 winners in 2016, Pacquiao’s two promises were he’d make a law for a free education in all levels and ensure that death by lethal injection for convicts be restored.

Five years later, Senator Pacquiao’s twin promises have remained that: promises.

In his 2022 presidential bid, a promise to curb corruption, a promise to provide a home for the homeless.

Cross my heart.

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