Manny Pacquiao’s Anti-Corruption Fight: A Bout Without a Knockout

By Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo — October 8, 2024

MANNY Pacquiao, who once left opponents gasping for air, has taken on a new challenge: knocking out corruption in the Philippines. The only problem? Corruption’s laughing so hard, it’s hard to hit. Pacquiao’s political punches seem to land everywhere except where it matters, while corruption keeps bouncing back, smiling like it knows something we don’t—probably because it does. And while the boxer-turned-senator gets winded from all the swinging, corruption isn’t even breaking a sweat.

Pacquiao, The Boxer Turned Politician: Still Swinging, Just Not Landing

The image of Manny Pacquiao taking on corruption is like watching a heavyweight champ try his hand at chess: it’s amusing, heartwarming even, but the pieces are still scattered across the board. After losing his presidential bid in 2022, Pacquiao is now reapplying for his old job as a senator, swearing to continue his crusade against the scourge of corruption—a fight that, much like one of his later career bouts, might go the full 12 rounds without a decisive finish.

As a boxer, Pacquiao is a household name—a living legend. Who could forget that knockout of Ricky Hatton? But when he trades gloves for government papers, the story shifts. While in the Senate from 2016 to 2022, Pacquiao did what any boxer-turned-politician might do: he launched a few corruption investigations. Yet, instead of delivering knockout blows to corrupt officials, most of his punches whiffed through the air, with allegations dismissed as “lacking evidence”—the political equivalent of a judge telling Pacquiao, “Nice try, champ.”

A Candidate with Punch, but Not the Right Type

When Pacquiao says corruption is a “cancer,” he isn’t wrong—just like he wasn’t wrong when he tried to defeat Floyd Mayweather with good intentions. However, being right doesn’t mean you know what you’re doing. His anti-corruption spiel sounds fantastic in campaign speeches—everyone loves a good cancer metaphor—but it hasn’t quite translated into action.

Perhaps the problem is that corruption doesn’t tremble in fear of a left hook. Pacquiao accused several government agencies of mishandling billions in pandemic aid, but much like a sparring partner holding up the pads, those accusations didn’t result in any meaningful damage. Sure, the Bureau of Immigration got a few tough questions, and some officials broke into a sweat, but at the end of the day, corruption in the Philippines is still bobbing and weaving, while Pacquiao is left shaking his head at the referee.

Should Pacquiao Lead the Fight? A Look at His Skills (or Lack Thereof)

Let’s be honest: as a legislator, Pacquiao makes a great boxer. He’s good at showing up, making noise, and walking away with a smile, but passing legislation? That’s a whole different sport. His legislative record is as patchy as his late-career footwork. In fact, he was once ranked as one of the Senate’s top absentees. Perhaps it was because he was busy training for a fight—because nothing says “public servant” like skipping out on your job to make millions throwing punches.

But who cares about technicalities like “attendance”? Manny Pacquiao doesn’t need to read laws—he just needs to fight for the people, right? Sure, let’s ignore the fact that his investigations into corruption didn’t exactly send anyone to prison. Pacquiao’s approach is less about legal precision and more about landing political haymakers in front of cameras, but with no law prohibiting political dynasties, maybe that’s all we should expect from the man who once fought Antonio Margarito with a broken hand. After all, his son is running for office too—because if there’s one thing Pacquiao understands, it’s how to throw a family affair into the ring.

The Case For Pacquiao: The Heart of a Fighter

It’s not all bad news for Pacquiao’s political career. Like his boxing career, it’s driven by his undeniable charisma, determination, and the fact that people love an underdog. He rose from poverty, became one of the richest athletes on the planet, and still, somehow, looks like the everyman. The man’s got heart! And when it comes to electoral politics, heart goes a long way.

His boxing skills—while not directly applicable—certainly give him a leg up. In the world of Philippine politics, where getting hit by scandals and bribery accusations is par for the course, Pacquiao knows how to take a punch. If anything, he’s proven that even after losing, he’s ready for another round, filing his candidacy for the Senate in 2025. And what’s his political strategy? Simple: hit the corruption bag until something gives. Sure, it didn’t work in his first term, but hey, in boxing you don’t always win the first fight.

The Case Against Pacquiao: It’s Not the Ring, It’s the Rulebook

Of course, there’s the minor inconvenience that Pacquiao lacks any clear legislative accomplishments. His Senate performance makes some wonder if he was waiting for a corner coach to tell him when to start punching. Then there’s his frequent absences—an issue for someone running to represent the public full-time. The Philippine Constitution is clear on ethical standards for public officials, and as much as we want to root for Pacquiao, “I had to train for a fight” probably won’t hold up in front of the Supreme Court.

Moreover, despite his insistence that he’s “fighting for the people,” Pacquiao’s political punch is often off-target. His corruption accusations, no matter how righteous, tend to fizzle out in the face of legal standards that require things like evidence—something that even Pacquiao’s famous grit can’t quite substitute for.

Likelihood of Winning: Can a Boxer Beat the System?

So, can Manny Pacquiao win the Senate election? In a country where politics is as much about star power as it is about policy, Pacquiao’s odds are better than you might think. He’s loved, admired, and, crucially, recognized everywhere. Who needs to debate policy when you can just flash a knockout reel on TV?

That said, Pacquiao winning would likely mean more of the same: grand speeches about corruption, investigations that go nowhere, and maybe a few more charity basketball games. But hey, at least he’s better at dribbling than most politicians.

Satiric Tips: A Game Plan for All

For Pacquiao: Maybe watch some reruns of “The West Wing” before heading back into the Senate. Your hook is deadly, but corruption’s chin is strong.
For Political Opponents: Good luck. You’re fighting a man who’s been punched in the face for two decades and still stands tall. Don’t expect to out-tough him.
For Boxing Fans: Just remember, if your favorite fighter starts giving a Senate speech, it’s time to change the channel.
For Filipinos: At this point, Pacquiao is less a politician and more of a national mascot. If he wins, just be glad he isn’t running for a rematch with Mayweather.

So, as Pacquiao steps back into the Senate ring, one thing’s for sure: corruption isn’t tapping out anytime soon. Will Manny land that long-awaited knockout punch? Or will corruption, as always, dodge, weave, and smile for the cameras? Don’t hold your breath, folks—this fight might go into extra rounds, but at least the commentary will be entertaining.