According to partial and unofficial results of the election, Opposition Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio continues to pile up her lead over boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. The incumbent, Custodio garnered 16,755 votes while Pacquiao only got 9,133 in the quick count of the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), as of 1:18 p.m. yesterday. This count was held at the Marist-run Notre Dame of Dadiangas College in General Santos City, South Cotabato.
The Namfrel tally represents 21.29 percent of the 1,461 precincts in the first district of South Cotabato, which covers General Santos City and the municipalities of Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan.
Custodio is running under the banner of the Nationalist People’s Coalition and local political party Achievers with Integrity Movement (NPC-AIM). On the other hand Pacquiao, is being backed by President Arroyo’s party Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi).
Pacquiao, however, says he remains hopeful in his bid for a congressional seat. In fact, the boxing icon sounded hopeful and unconceding, “The counting is not yet over”, when he was asked on Monday night by a reporter about his plans after the election. He also went on radio hours after the polling, thanking his supporters for their votes.
To be honest, I feel happy about the results of this quick count not only because Pacquiao is losing but also because the Filipino voters seems to have matured. They are no longer voting for the more popular but less qualified candidate like they often did in the past. Perhaps they realized that electing actors for public positions is not the best practice. Or maybe they just used their common sense and decided that Pacquiao is not fit for public office.
Nevertheless, this impending loss should teach Pacquiao a lesson. The political arena is so much different from the boxing arena that he dominates. He should just set aside his political amnbitions at this time and concentrate on his boxing career.
The Namfrel tally represents 21.29 percent of the 1,461 precincts in the first district of South Cotabato, which covers General Santos City and the municipalities of Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan.
Custodio is running under the banner of the Nationalist People’s Coalition and local political party Achievers with Integrity Movement (NPC-AIM). On the other hand Pacquiao, is being backed by President Arroyo’s party Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi).
Pacquiao, however, says he remains hopeful in his bid for a congressional seat. In fact, the boxing icon sounded hopeful and unconceding, “The counting is not yet over”, when he was asked on Monday night by a reporter about his plans after the election. He also went on radio hours after the polling, thanking his supporters for their votes.
To be honest, I feel happy about the results of this quick count not only because Pacquiao is losing but also because the Filipino voters seems to have matured. They are no longer voting for the more popular but less qualified candidate like they often did in the past. Perhaps they realized that electing actors for public positions is not the best practice. Or maybe they just used their common sense and decided that Pacquiao is not fit for public office.
Nevertheless, this impending loss should teach Pacquiao a lesson. The political arena is so much different from the boxing arena that he dominates. He should just set aside his political amnbitions at this time and concentrate on his boxing career.
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