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GENERAL SANTOS CITY: The official spokesman of World Boxing
Council lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao said on Friday that
allegations of a comeback fight between him and incumbent Rep.
Darlene Antonino-Custodio in 2010 is misleading.
Earlier, media reports, and text messages that
went into circulation, made claims that Pacquiao was eyeing a
rematch with Custodio in the first district of South Cotabato and
General Santos City instead of running in Sarangani.
The reports came after Pacquiao took his oath as
member of the Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi), the
political party of President Gloria Arroyo.
“Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno may
have been misinterpreted when he said the party had the intention of
fielding Pacman as a Congressional candidate in 2010. People may
have concluded it would be a rematch between him and Custodio,”
explained Mayor Reynaldo “Bong” Constantino of Malungon, who is
also Pacquiao’s spokesman for political affairs.
Very few are aware of his plans to run in
Sarangani,” the mayor told The Manila Times in an exclusive
interview at the GSC Baptist Hospital where he was confined due to
stress and stomach pains.
There were others who believe those who wanted
to get Pacquiao out of politics, or discourage him from pursuing his
political plans, were behind the misinformation.
“He is definitely running for the
congressional seat of Sarangani,” continued Constantino. “And
that’s final as everything is now set for Pacquiao’s political
bid. He is much more prepared this time unlike his first try in
politics.”
Aside from helping the local government,
Pacquiao is conducting two medical missions every month in far-flung
villages in Sarangani today.
A political pundit said the lack of preparation
and ineffectual political machinery caused Pacman’s defeat from
Custodio in 2007.
Reports said the Achievers with Integrity
Movement, a political party within the Peoples Champ Movement of
Pacquiao, may have weakened the latter’s political defenses during
the elections.
-- Isagani P. Palma
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