He's not in the boxing ring. No referee. No gloves.No otherworldly speed. No footwork. No six-punch combinations. Just words. An audience listens to concepts strung together. The image is strange. Not a boxer but as a legislator, he voiced his side and he is, again, under scrutiny.
People say he is "bobo", "walang alam" or ambisyoso. Yet a boxer can't win belts in eight divisions if he wasn't ambisyoso. A fighter who came out of poverty and become the global face of a sport because he believes. What makes Pacquiao so feared in the ring, however, is what makes Pacquiao so questioned away from his battlegrounds. He's so good at throwing straights, hooks, finding angles, scaring opponents. The best in the business. Judgmental people concludes that he can't be that good at something else. To conquer with both fists and wits. Really?
Pacquiao reads from carefully prepared notes. He states. He asks. The best way he knows how. For everyone to hear. The easiest thing to do, afterwards, is to belittle him. What compelling argument can a boxing champion forward? Consider, however, that the easiest thing for Pacquiao to do is to keep quiet. Huwag nang maki-alam pa. What he does is neither convenient nor compulsory. Not for him. Not for us.
Pacquiao's celebrity status can really shape opinion, it also seems unfair to stop him from sharing his views. Just like Lea Salonga and other Anti-lifers celebrities, he can share his views. After voicing his support for LIFE, Lea Salonga, Mirriam Santiago and other anti-lifers has resulted in insults, name-callings and belittling Pacquiao's rights for expression.
As a fellow pro-lifer, I give my Pacquiao full support and I defend his right to share his views. I further defend his inclination to air his views. If it is either a publicity stunt or grossly miscalculated political move, let him suffer in the form of lost votes and lost admirers. He, however, refuses to hide behind the shield of perceived ignorance. While experienced politicians would rather play safe, especially when asked about divisive issues, a boxing star risks his hard-earned reputation by speaking up.
If Pacquiao believes he's bigger than what he actually is, thinks he can contribute to a debate beyond his intellectual realm, the burden of failure is his alone. People aren't required to agree with his opinion. But they can, at least, listen. For the right to disagree is just as sacred as the right to be heard. And if people like Lea Salonga would tell Pacman "mag-boxing ka na lang", I know this for sure: Between Pacman and Lea, the most suitable one to talk about this BILL is no other than Manny Pacquiao for he is a legislator and Lea is just a singer, "kaya kumanta ka nalang". :)
