Is it still proper for Manny Pacquiao to continue his boxing career now that he is already congressman of Sarangani Province?

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: Yes, if his purpose is to bring glory and dollars into the country. The dollars could help alleviate poverty and provide employment for the poor people of Sarangani.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: It’s improper for him to be a boxer
and a politician at the same time. No one can serve two masters simultaneously. One of them will surely be left out.

Fitting tribute

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Yes, it is but a fitting tribute to Manny who has brought so much pride and honor to our country. Besides, the law states that he is allowed to go on vacation leave while training for a boxing match. Anyway, Manny will still be able to manage his office effectively through hi-tech communication and a dependable staff that can do the necessary paper work.

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: His being Manny Pacquiao, the Pambansang Kamao, makes it proper for him to continue his boxing career despite being a congressman.

Edwin Chinel Monares, Rizal: Yes, in fact, I prefer Manny Pacquiao pursuing his boxing career because this is what he does best. He will bring more honor to the country through this rather than joining other congressmen who are good at squandering their pork barrel and utilizing their influence to get various concessions.

Celine Denise Javier, Vigan City: Yes. Manny Pacquiao has brought fame and honor to the Philippines as a boxer. Being a congressman is his way of giving back to his fellow Filipinos the many gifts God has given him. Let him decide when to stop boxing.

Nito Aquino, Makati City: Yes, Pacman should continue boxing for a few more years.

Leonard Villa, Batac City: Yes. Pacquiao is actually more effective as a boxer than as a legislator. As a boxer, he brings honor to our country. As a congressman, he’s still trying hard.

Ret. Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Zamboanga City: Yes of course. Manny Pacquiao is a Filipino and he wants the world to know that Filipinos are the best in the world.

Lawmaking needs focus

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: No, it’s no longer proper for him to continue his boxing career. He’s had enough boxing matches and is already a Hall of Famer. He should instead focus on his new role as congressman. I just don’t know if there is something else that he wants to prove to the public.

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: I’m not in favor because a congressman must maintain dignity and respect. He already has everything: Power, wealth and popularity. Kulang pa ba?

Rose Leobrera, Manila: He should stop being a boxer, anyway he has achieved a lot. He is rich. He is famous. He can’t ask for more. If his fate in his next fight turns out to be negative, it would be embarrassing because he is now a congressman. He should concentrate on his duties as lawmaker.

Elpidio Que, Vigan: Pacquiao cannot do boxing and lawmaking at the same time. He is not Superman capable of doing more than one thing simultaneously. Lawmaking needs focus and we have yet to see Pacquiao’s skills on this aspect. If he truly wants to serve his constituents like what he keeps on saying, his job as congressman should only be the one that matters.

Roger Caravana, Bulacan: I believe Manny Pacquiao should discontinue his boxing career. The job of a congressman would need his full attention.

Jun Montebon, Parañaque City: Now that Manny is already a congressman, he should just confine his fights in the halls of Congress.

Two masters

Ana Igloria, Laguna: He cannot have two masters. I am a die-hard fan of Manny Pacquiao in sports but not in politics. Now that the people of Sarangani have voted for him, he should serve them best by staying focused on what he is supposed to do as a congressman. Engaging in boxing would affect his focus as a public servant because he would need to spend much time practicing. In the first place, he’s already boxing’s pound-for-pound king, so what more does he want?

Maricel Maralit, Naga City: One cannot serve two masters at the same time. Soon, Manny has to choose between boxing and lawmaking.

Ed Ledesma, Iloilo City: Manny should quit one or he just might lose both.

Louella Brown, Baguio City: It is no longer proper for Manny Pacquiao to continue his boxing career now that he is already congressman of Sarangani province. He should think of the betterment of his constituents. He should realize that at this point, he couldn’t serve two masters at the same time.

Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: You can’t have it all, Manny.

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: It’s either an early retirement from boxing for Pacquiao or concentrate on his new role as congressman. One can’t have two masters at the same time.

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: No, for it’s like serving two masters at the same time.

Another way to serve

Ressy Cabacungan, Nueva Ecija: For me, yes, it is still okay if Pacman continues with his boxing career even if he is already a congressman because through this, he is able to bring honor and glory to our country. It’s like another way of serving his countrymen.

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: Pacquiao’s periodic absence in Congress would be understandable considering the goodwill he earns for the country by continuing his boxing career.

Conflict of interest

Dr. Dennis Acop, Baguio City: It depends on our laws. I think there is something that says there must not be conflict of interest when serving in government. As in the Scriptures that admonish “that one cannot serve two masters at the same time”, there is a need to decide whether one is committing to public service or a boxing career because one will do injustice to the other. But then again, the “only in the Philippines” culture shows that there have been cases similar to this. For instance, many among our so-called public servants still make movies, appear in advertisements, occupy more than one position in government or the private sector, or own and operate businesses while serving in government. Manny Pacquiao is no ordinary congressman. He is the world’s finest boxer and is more famous than the President. Personally, however, I feel that he is better off focusing on a boxing career and then something related to that thereafter.

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: We have a law that prohibits elected officials and government employees from engaging in business or practicing other professions while in government service. In Manny’s case, it will be conflict of interest. It’s not proper for him to still pursue his boxing career now that he is representative of Sarangani.

Time management

Johnlen Tamag, Ilocos Sur: Time management is the key. Manny can do both if he manages his time well, and since he is known to be very disciplined, I think it is possible.

Chyna Mae Lao, Ilocos Sur: Being a congressman entails a lot of work. If Manny can handle being a boxer and congressman at the same time, then why not? But if he can’t, he should prioritize his responsibilities as a congressman. The nation must come first.

King Zeus Nitcha, Ilocos Sur: I believe that it is still proper for Manny Pacquiao to continue his boxing career even if he is now the congressman of Sarangani Province. He is a leader and a leader has time for everything – for his family, for himself, for his career and most especially, for his constituents.

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Yes, I’m not concerned that he will ever lose his love for boxing. He won’t be distracted even if he has to do both. Without boxing, he wouldn’t be where he is today.

Arvin Padual, Quezon City: It’s a matter of time management. For as long as Manny Pacquiao is not remiss in his duties, there will be no problem.

Gerard Ortigas, Iloilo City: Kung kaya ni Pacquiao pagsabayin ang boxing at pulitika na hindi siya sasablay sa dalawa, kanya na ’yon.

Fronnie Senadrin, Bulacan: Yes, he can still continue with his boxing career. Anyway he has hinted that he will be retiring after one or two more fights.

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: Manny’s still new to politics so he can afford to be a little relaxed. But once he destroys Margarito and Mayweather, he should act as a true-blue congressman.

A la Ventura

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: Wrestling champion Jesse Ventura had already retired as a professional wrestler when he joined politics and became governor of Minnesota. He succeeded both as wrestler and governor, but he practiced them one after the other, not at the same time. I wish Manny Pacquiao would follow Ventura’s lead to remain successful in both fields.

Hang up gloves

Ryan Pahimulin, Rizal: Boxing and lawmaking are both serious and taxing professions that could not be practiced at the same time. Manny Pacquiao may succeed in one but fail in the other. Worst, he may fail in both careers. Pacquiao is not getting any younger or stronger. It is better for him to retire with all his belts intact. – Elmo Cruz, Manila

I still believe that he must already retire.

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: To Rep. Pacquiao: Sir, you’re so much like the monk who achieved his fondest dream to become a master swordsman in spite of his stature. As Pambansang Kamao, you have reached the pinnacle of success. Now, the only way to go is down. Please know that most Chinese believe that 8 is a lucky number. But it could also mean “pilipit” in Tagalog. Baka sa eighth world title ka pa sumablay. Retire na, please.

No moonlighting

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: Elected legislators should refrain from receiving professional fees as athletes, actors, lawyers, professors, etc., and just concentrate on their legislative work.

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: It is no longer proper for Rep. Manny Pacquiao to continue with his boxing career because he has many obligations to attend to and his training will take much of his time. The loophole, however, is that other congressmen are also practicing other professions. So, why deprive Pacquiao the opportunity to pursue his boxing career? He brings honor to the country every time he climbs into the ring.

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: This is like asking if Senators Bong Revilla, Lito Lapid and other politician-actors and actresses can still appear in movies.

B.M. Tutay, Metro Manila: In the same manner, Rep. Lucy Torres should not continue with her TV program, and so with Senators Tito Sotto and Bong Revilla. They should not get involved in commercial undertakings.

Multi-tasker

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Manny Pacquiao will show us that he is capable of multi-tasking, unlike many congressmen who are only good at lying and pocketing government’s money.

Jeffrey Villar, Capiz: If one can have dual citizenship, why can’t Pacman have a dual career? Inggit lang kayo.

Honest earnings

Ric Vergara, Calamba: I would prefer Manny to continue his boxing career and enjoy “honest” earnings from the ring.

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: Manny Pacquaio wants to earn more for his family and for Sarangani. The pork barrel fund is not enough to cover the financial needs of his constituents.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Why not? Boxing made Pacquiao what he is today – a very rich man. What he’ll earn as a solon is peanuts compared to his take as a boxer.

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Manny is still at the prime of his career and could bring in more bucks and pride to our beleaguered country. He is good for some more mega-fights.

Too late

I.Q. Calata, Parañaque City: It is too late to ask this question now that a contract for another fight for Pacquiao is being forged. In my opinion, however, he should stop his boxing career because this will make him an absentee congressman due to long training periods for his fights. Legislative work is a serious matter and he should have enough time for this to be fair with his constituents.

Saving grace

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Manny is the only person who could erase RP’s bad image after the hostage drama last Aug. 23. Let him box as long as he’s bringing glory the country.

More exciting

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Why not? It’s a lot more fun and interesting to see Pacquiao box than watch his boring and grandstanding colleagues in Congress.

Follow his heart

Cris Rivera, Rizal: It is important for Pacquiao to make a choice. He must go where his heart is.

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.


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