INQUIRER.net Eleksyon 2007

Pacquiao files bid for South Cotabato’s Congress seat

Inquirer

Aquiles Zonio

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines -- (UPDATE) Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao officially filed his certificate of candidacy in absentia 1:40 p.m. Thursday before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office in Koronadal City, South Cotabato.

Pacquiao's legal and financial adviser Franklin Gacal Jr. signed the documents through the special power of attorney he had executed before flying to the United States, where he is now training for his April fight with Mexican boxer Jorge Solis.

Gacal told reporters that shortly before he entered the Comelec office, Pacquiao called him up and asked whether his COC had already been filed.

Gacal was accompanied by Pacquiao's youngest brother Ruel, General Santos mayoral aspirant Rosalita Nuñez and several supporters.

Gacal led a convoy of about 20 vehicles from General Santos City, where Nuñez and members of her slate earlier filed their COCs, to Koronadal City, 56 kilometers west of General Santos City.

Pacquiao’s legal adviser claimed he was not expecting that many supporters would join the convoy, adding that "I was just amazed by the spontaneous support showed by the people."

After Gacal finished filing Pacman's certificate of candidacy, he called up the Filipino ring idol to inform him about it.

Gacal turned on his mobile phone's speaker to let the reporters hear what Pacquiao would say.

In their conversation, Pacquiao told Gacal to let the people know that he was doing the biggest sacrifice of his life for them.

"I’m doing this not for myself but for them. They won’t regret it. I will do everything I could to help my townmates in the first district of South Cotabato,” he said.

Provincial Comelec officer Lilian Radam told reporters that Pacquiao was the second congressional candidate for the South Cotabato first congressional district to file his certificate of candidacy.

On Wednesday, the group of incumbent Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio motored from here to Koronadal City to file her COC.

Custodio was accompanied by General Santos Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. and several political followers.

She was met by South Cotabato Governor Daisy Fuentes and her group, who, along with Custodio, also filed their COC.

After poring over Pacquiao’s certificate of candidacy, Radam said: "Everything was in order. Pacquiao now has officially filed his candidacy. We expect him to follow all the election rules and regulations."

On Wednesday, Pacquiao's camp pulled out all his posters and streamers featuring his commercial endorsements.

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