How President Pacquiao Created a New Economic Future for Filipinos and Brought P By Joel Bander AUGUST 23, 2015, Manila, Philippines This is the second part of an ongoing investigative series. Decision Alone Presidential candidate Pacquiao was quickly learning that running for president was no easy task. “Everyone has their own agenda, ” he recalled former President Ramos once advising him. He made the decision of whether to fight Mayweather even if elected president was one he had to make alone, without competing advisors biting at his ear. For almost a week the nation’s complete media conjecture was when the great hero would announce that he would accept the challenge to fight Mayweather even if elected president. After a week of the media circus Pacquiao stopped campaigning and became a recluse. The reports at the time were that he worked out for seven straight hours ‘just so he can think, ’ said one old friend. Another said, “He didn’t spend as much time in church as in workout during this seclusion period.” PinoyWatchDog.Com’s investigative team has learned that Pacquiao’s first full day away from the campaign trail found him waking up, sweating profusely. He knew he just had a dream, but could not recall much besides the crowds. He could not determine if they were happy or unhappy with him, just boisterous crowds. But, upon hearing the familiar drone of the electric fan, humming, and the calming effect of seeing his wife Jinkee sleeping soundly beside him, quickly put the dream and the crowds out of his mind. It was getting harder to sleep for him nowadays, and this was his first morning in a long while that he actually had the luxury to be able to think. The Champ glanced at various headlines, those reminding him he had made ‘The Promise’, with others pleading with him to return to the ring to beat Mayweather–for the nation. Now he agonized over that promise and the pleas of Filipinos the world over for him to don the boxing gloves yet again. He heard the voices of the staff who whispered about how great his return to boxing would be, and of the polished, well educated elites that he never felt comfortable interacting with who said a president cannot remain a boxer. The Champ was in this similar position many times before, where he always gave his heart to someone who needed him. His country needed him. He thought of the time a magazine publisher came to him and asked for financial support in exchange for media coverage. He would have done it in an instant for a friend without anything in exchange, but it broke his heart nonetheless when the publisher ran off with the money without any explanation. He thought how the media would treat his decision, as they always questioned his motives, even when he was just wanted to help people. “The press can be so cruel, ” he thought to himself, conjuring up the various stories and spinning events to attract viewers and readers to their stations and newspapers. Pacquiao thought of the malicious rumors about a house he supposedly bought for an actress, or the $2 million he supposedly gave to help out another actress in a business venture. His strategy was always to ignore them, refusing to comment, as it would just add fuel to the fire. The Champ was aware that some misconstrued his silence as though they were implied admission. He was thankful his wife always stood by him, even though there were times that he saw the effects the rumors had on her. It was only then that he took a stand to deny the rumors. The Champ went to his home gym and just started a light workout, punching the bag that seems to have been there forever. “I am at the crossroads, ” the candidate said to himself. He knew his body could take it; he had never neglected physical exercise and was still in top shape. His place in boxing history was assured, having multiple championship belts in various weight categories–the “pound-for-pound” best fighter in the world. And the call from Filipinos was overwhelming. He had to fight. He had to. He could see it in the faces of the ordinary masses he saw everyday when on the campaign trail. They never liked hearing his standard line of boxing and being president being incompatible. Only those elite whose kids had cars in college seemed to be saying, “do not fight.” How could he deny the challenge? He thought of Mayweather, laughing at him if he stuck to his promise. “Beat Mayweather, for the Philippines, ” the Champ murmured to himself. “I like the sound of that.” The decision had been made. He then decided to take advantage of the short period of quiet, and to announce his decision later on. When he slept again, the crowds in his dreams were clearly supporting his decision. And he finally got a few days of rest. I Serve the Nation Three days later, Pacquiao emerged, stating he was ready to go back on the campaign trail, but not announcing any intentions either way on the critical issue of whether he would abandon his campaign promise and fight Mayweather. His own staff members did not know what he was thinking. Pacquiao, so often accused of being manipulated or taken advantage of by his handlers, was keeping his own counsel. The Champ also had also learned about how to prime the media machine by staying silent. However, being away from his entourage for these three days brought a new phenomenon: the political and boxing promotion handlers were working together, which only could mean returning to the ring. They all knew Pacquiao’s decision before he did. The Champ told Gacal he wanted airtime to address the nation. Still, no one knew Pacquiao’s thinking. He was to write his own speech, demonstrating an independence never seen before. “I serve the nation, ” he said to a national audience glued to their televisions and radios as much as on fight days. “If my kababayans so overwhelming want me to fight Mr. Mayweather for our country, it must be done. Para sa inyo, ang laban na ‘to.” His first post-speech public appearance was in Rizal Park. Over 100, 000 were in attendance. But the chant “Beat Mayweather, for the Philippines” did stop once the hero appeared. Pacquiao had made the decision that was necessary just to be able to go on campaigning without those ‘Beat Mayweather’ chants stopping his ability to think. University of the Philippines Mass Media professor Art Cariaga said, “The Beat Mayweather campaign was masterful. Unless, Manny won the presidency he truly couldn’t fight Mayweather for all Filipinos. If he was defeated in the presidency and he went to the fight, Filipinos would have already lost.” In short, Filipinos had to vote for the Champ, as an instrument for national pride. He might have broken the no-fight promise, but in one stroke, he assured his election to the presidency. Back in the Mayweather camp, the mood was different. He had offered the challenge to Pacquiao, essentially forgoing the prize money to charity; how could he now fend off the energy that would be at this fight? Mayweather had been outfoxed by the Champ. “There was no fight left in Mayweather after that, ” one insider source told PinoyWatchDog.com. Back on the campaign trail, although the crowds chanted “Beat Mayweather, for the Philippines” before the Champ appeared, it usually stopped when their hero began to speak. As if Pacquiao had already won, both the boxing match and the presidency. Then the Filipino people realized there was more to governing than a boxing match. In the next issue: The road to Malacanang and Las Vegas. | 
