‘Not long after, he was virtually overcome by endless hurdles and disappointments. Pacquiao must have thrown away more than P3 billion in his presidential run…’
A GROUP from the Filipino community in Australia did not think it was embarrassing to protest the private visit of presumptive President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. His spokesman, Vic Rodriguez, said “it is not a Filipino trait to shame fellow Filipinos in a foreign country.”
Rodriguez’s disguised amnesia led him to forget that the father of Bongbong Marcos was hounded by hundreds of protesters during his state visit in the United States and in his stay in Honolulu. It is something that Marcos Jr. brought upon himself due to the oppressive martial rule of his dictator-father and unresolved criminal and political issues against the family.
From where we sit, however, the political mood among Filipinos abroad should be more deferential and restrained by our respect, in this case, for the Australian government that allowed the family visit.
Before the international community, it was embarrassing not only for Marcos Jr. and, I believe, for the rest of us, as well.
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Presidential candidate Sen. Manny Pacquiao now says he regrets going into politics because of “smear campaigns against his name.” In an interview with CNN Philippines, he said: “Sinisira nila ‘yung pangalan ko na dugo at pawis ang puhunan ko.”
After relishing the adulation of the world as an iconic international sports figure, he was not prepared to confront the challenges of a politician aiming to win the highest position in the land. Suddenly, he found himself struggling with the mud, finding it hard to parry the dirt and slime thrown his way. He could not thrive in the world of dirty politics and dirty money, spiced with treachery and betrayal.
He went on to say he tried so hard to give honor to our country and to be known for it, but thieves in the government had gone on a relentless demolition campaign against him. He should have long realized that anyone who stands for and pursues uprightness, truth and integrity is out to make more enemies.
His Christian piety decrees that a true believer cannot serve two masters, in this case God and politics. And he knows the Bible tells him so.
The Bible teacher and evangelist in Pacquiao entered politics to try to change it, a mean and nearly impossible task.
Not long after, he was virtually overcome by endless hurdles and disappointments.
Pacquiao must have thrown away more than P3 billion in his presidential run and thought of quitting because of his very dismal survey ratings. Numerous Christian pastors had hoped that Pacquiao could have spent the fortune in building Christian churches, hospitals, orphanages and schools that would carry his enduring name for God and country.
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The following verse should be food for thought for those who may yet be misled by the huge political victory to think that life is so grand and beautiful that makes them lords and kings. From Mathew 7:13-14: “Enter the narrow gate: for wide is the gate that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. You will know them by their fruits.”
