UPDATED: Darlene Antonino-Custodio vs. Manny Pacquiao

It's like David vs. Goliath in the political arena.

Darlene's clearly the underdog here, kahit na baguhan pa lang si Manny Pacquiao, dahil sa popularidad nito.

This is another proxy war between Mike Arroyo and his enemies. Mike Arroyo also has Lito Lapid running for Mayor in Makati vs. Binay.

In the first place, most of Pacquiao's fans are against Pacman's running for Congress, dahil hindi raw niya maasikaso ng husto ang boxing career niya. And many people are saying na he is only tarnishing his reputation even further by allowing himself to be used as a tool by the administration vs. the hated opposition member Darlene Custudio.

I have nothing against Pacquiao running for office. But I'd rather see him concentrate on his boxing career then venture into something he's not prepared for (at least not yet, anyway). maybe once you're retired manny, then most people would be more willing to see you in the political arena.

I think the people of Cotobato should do Manny a favor and not vote for him this election, because frankly most people would want to see him continue his boxing career. his boxing advisers and his own mother are against his foray into politics, but his political advisers seem to have more clout with Manny.

Anyway, Darlene is in the fight of her life. but I will root for her. I alwyas root for the underdog. And it would be a feel good story if Darlene knocks out Pacquiao in the political ring.

The win will be good for Darlene. And the loss will strangely enough, be good for Manny pacquiao too, so that he can concentrate on the things that make him truly great. Boxing.

Don't worry Manny. You're still young. No need to rush this thing.

And South cotobato will continue to be in good hands with Darlene Custodio.

UPDATE: The PDI editorial had this one dead on:

MANILA, Philippines-- Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao may feel that he’s doing the people of General Santos City a favor by running for Congress. He’s dead wrong. What he’s doing is adding to the scorecard of the millions of Filipinos so disenchanted by politics that they’re about to pack up their bags and leave for the moon or any place where there are no Filipino politicos. What he’s doing is sheer political opportunism that only aggravates Filipino cynicism about the irredeemability of Philippine politic

Manny Pacquiao also said he's willing to give up boxing if he wins. "If the law says so," sabi ni Manny. Not a categorical statement, but i'll take it.

But do we really want to see Manny become a politician, and an agent of the Mike Pidal and Chavit Singson? Or would we rather see him continue his great boxing career (and he hasn't reached his peak yet, i must say). Kulang na nga tayo sa mga sports heroes, tapos mawawala pa ito.

So here's the deal, if people want to see Manny focus on his boxing career, don't vote for Pacquiao.

If people care about Manny, don't vote for him. If people don't want to see Manny used as a political tool by Pidal, Singson and Maam Arroyo, don't vote for Manny.

Vote for Darlene, so that we Filipinos can continue to enjoy Manny Pacquiao's exploits in the ring. I believe there's enough in him to become boxing Champion again.

many people (actually most of his supporters, the people who really cared about him) are right, don't throw away your boxing career manny.

An online survey conducted by Pacquiao's website showed that 91 percent of his fans were opposed to his plan to join politics. Only 3.2 percent said yes, while 5.8 percent said "I don't care."

I do believe Manny has a future in politics one day, but not now. South Cotobato is being well represented by Darlene Custodio.

UPDATE: 1-M Signature campaign niluluto sa pagtakbo ni Pacquiao

From the Abante-Tonite:

Maglulunsad ng signature campaign ang kampo ni People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao upang kontrahin ang kanyang mga kritiko na kontra sa pagtakbo sa Kongreso ng boksingerong idolo ng masa.

Ito ang impormasyong nakalap ng TONITE kung saan isang milyong signature umano ang balak na kalapin ng mga supporters ni Pacquiao na sisimulan anumang araw ngayon.

Layunin ng naturang signature campaign na ipakitang marami pa ang nagtutulak kay Pacquiao na tumakbo bilang congressman sa unang distrito ng South Cotobato.

Nabatid na isasagawa ang signature campaign sa Metro Manila at iba pang bahagi ng bansa dahil kung aasa lamang ito sa mga residente ng naturang distrito ay hindi aabot sa isang milyon ang makakalap na lagda.

Ayon kay South Cotobato Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, umaabot lamang sa 250,000 ang botante sa kanyang distrito kaya malamang na hindi sa kanilang lugar mangangalap ng lagda ang mga supporters ni Pacquiao kundi sa ibang lugar tulad ng Manila.

"Wala akong ideya sa impormasyon na iyan pero kung sakali, baka hindi sa district ko sila mangangalap ng lagda dahil more or less two hundred fifty thousand lang ang botante sa amin," ayon kay Antonino-Custodio.

Ayon naman sa impormante, gagawin ng kampo ni Pacquiao ang signature drive dahil sa kaliwa’t kanang batikos na inaabot ng People’s Champ sa desisyon nitong kumandidato sa Kongreso.

Subalit naniniwala ang impormante na mahihirapan ang kampo ni Pacquiao na makakuha ng isang milyong lagda dahil lahat ng mga bumabatikos sa pagpasok nito sa pulitika ay ang kanya mismong mga tagahanga.

"Kung dadayain ang signature baka sobra sa isang milyon ang makukuha nila. Kung malinis, baka walang lalagda kasi nais pa ng kanyang mga fans na ipagpatuloy niya ang kanyang boxing career at naniniwala ang mga tao na wala siyang magagawa sa Kongreso," ayon sa impormante.

And the true fans of Manny Pacquiao could also launch a similar signature campaign to urge Manny not to run and ask him to continue concentrating on his boxing career instead of being used as a tool by the ARroyos, Lito Atienza and Chavit Singson.

I'm sure more than 3 to 5 times pa yung signatures na makukuha sa "Please don't go into Politics, Manny" signature campaign kaysa sa "Run, Manny, Run" sig campaign ng mga Atienzas at Malacanang.