Pacquiao conquers opponents in boxing, political arenas

And for the 500,000 inhabitants of Sarangani Province in the Philippines, nothing says happiness like a new hospital. Or jobs.

Pacquiao, boxing’s pound-for-pound champion who has won world titles in eight weight classes, represents Sarangani as its congressman. He is approaching the first anniversary of his election after earning a seat in Manila on May 11, 2010, on his second try.

Since being sworn in last June, Pacquiao has taken on several projects, including the hospital, which will break ground shortly after Pacquiao returns home after his WBO welterweight title fight against Shane Mosley on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden.

"The time has passed so quick," Pacquiao said last week before a workout at trainer Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club. "We’ve been able to work on some important projects. But I realize how hard it is to accomplish your goals."

One of his biggest projects is the hospital.

"The people don’t have a hospital," Pacquiao said. "They have to travel when they’re sick, and it’s far away. So the hospital is very important."

To get it, Pacquiao secured $200 million Philippine pesos (about $5 million US) for the project. He went directly to Philippine president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and asked for the money. Normally, such an attempt wouldn’t be acknowledged, much less honored. But Pacquiao’s fame is so huge, it would have been a political catastrophe, even at the presidential level, to say no.

"It felt good to ask for money," said a smiling Pacquiao, who is normally besieged by requests for financial help and has been known to give money to strangers who beg at his door. "This will help a lot of people."

Pacquiao said he hopes to have the hospital’s doors open within a year of this month’s groundbreaking. It also will create jobs for those building the hospital, another cause Pacquiao has taken on since being elected. He is trying to create 600,000 jobs throughout the Philippines by keeping businesses in his country instead of outsourcing the work to China and other countries.

"People need to be able to find work," said Pacquiao, who is also working with fishermen in his district to help secure subsidies to improve their chances of being profitable. "If we can keep the businesses in the Philippines, we can provide jobs and help our own economy."

He’s also becoming an advocate for the homeless and those enslaved in the sex-trade industry. Pacquiao, who according to Forbes Magazine made $42 million in 2010 and has a net worth of $70 million, recently purchased several acres of land with his money and hopes to build subsidized housing to get the homeless off the streets.

"It’s a big problem," he said. "A lot of people are on the street with nowhere to go. I want to help give them a place where they can live and help them rebuild their lives."

Further details on the project are expected to be announced when Pacquiao returns to the Philippines.

Meanwhile, he has worked to draft legislation to toughen the laws on young girls being kidnapped in his country and sold as sex slaves around the world. He’s not sure how effective it would be, but he thinks something must be done.

"It’s a big problem, but you have to try to do something," Pacquiao said.

Despite attempts to deliver for his constituents, Pacquiao has some critics. Because of his boxing career, he isn’t always around to vote on bills in Manila. But those who voted for him knew he wouldn’t be able to devote 100 percent of his time to politics while still a boxer.

"So far, so good," he said of his first year as a congressman. "I think I’ve done a good job. I am aware of what goes on back home, and I have a staff which I stay in touch with while I am training for a fight.

"I’m enjoying it. Every day, I wear a suit and tie, and I enjoy dressing up. But I also feel like I’m making a difference, not just in my own province but for all of my country."

Michael Koncz, Pacquiao’s longtime adviser, said the fighter is trying to live up to his mandate to make his people happy.

"I would hope the people are happy with Manny and the job he’s done," Koncz said. "He believes in what he’s doing, and he’s taking his responsibilities as a congressman very seriously. He believes deeply in the projects he has taken on.

"I’m not surprised he’s been successful. What I am surprised is how his fellow congressmen have supported him so far. You usually don’t see that in politics."

Pacquiao has been afforded political opportunities most of his colleagues don’t get. Along with his meetings with Aquino, Pacquiao visited the White House in February while in Washington to promote the Mosley fight and got a face-to-face meeting with President Barack Obama. While most of their 10-minute conversation focused on boxing and basketball, passions the two share, Pacquiao said his meeting with Obama inspired him politically.

"It was an honor to meet President Obama," Pacquiao said. "I think it helped my reputation back in the Philippines, and it showed me what is possible, and it makes me want to remain in politics after I am finished with boxing."

He also has become friends with Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and campaigned for him in Las Vegas before his Nov. 13 fight with Antonio Margarito. Reid arranged Pacquiao’s White House visit and served as Pacquiao’s guide during his tour of the Capitol.

"I think he understands what I go through," Pacquiao said. "He was a boxer, too, and he came from a poor background like I did. We have a lot in common, and I respect senator Reid."

Because of his success in boxing, Pacquiao has always had to be security conscious. That has been heightened now that he is a politician. Upon being elected, he was offered security by the Philippine government. But he turned it down, preferring to leave those matters in the hands of his private detail.

Asked if he worries about being assassinated, Pacquiao said: "I feel safe. I trust the people who are with me."

Koncz said he is confident in Pacquiao’s in-house security.

"It’s not a problem. We’ve got more guns than the police do," he said.

With life in politics comes even less freedom. Pacquiao said he can’t remember the last time he went to a movie, shot baskets in a park or went to a mall by himself. For his protection, he doesn’t drive while in the Philippines. Instead, he is chauffeured in vehicles that are bullet- and bomb-proof. But when he’s in California training, Pacquiao likes to get behind the wheel once in a while.

"I like racing," he said, adding that he has yet to get a speeding ticket.

As he continues to juggle his two professions, Pacquiao said boxing and politics have similarities.

"You have to work hard at both or you won’t be successful," he said. "You have to have faith and do your best."

He also is trying to remain true to himself. He has seen the ugly side of boxing with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and others claiming Pacquiao used steroids and performance-enhancing drugs. At some point, he probably will have to fend off those who will accuse him of being a corrupt politician — particularly if he’s successful.

"I want to be an honest politician," Pacquiao said. "I want to serve as a congressman faithfully. I have to do things the right way."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.