Let their victories be
clean like Pacquiao's

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Filipinos, both in the country and all around the world, rejoiced as one with the stunning victory of their boxing idol, Manny Pacquiao, over the man built up as a legend in the ring by his countrymen in Mexico.

The triumph of Pacquiao again brought Filipinos together, in their happiness and pride, as they had been as they watched and prayed for him during the celebrated match held at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A. yesterday.

Together they cheered him on, together they wailed in dismay when he was hit, and together they rejoiced when he finally settled the boastful upstart in his proper place: the hard canvass covering the floor of the boxing ring.

As expected, not only the ordinary Filipino, or even the sports aficionados, had something to say about the effects of Pacman's continuous successes at the ring. No less than the President has issued a statement, both congratulating Manny Pacquiao, and calling on the people to emulate his example in doing his best for his country's honor.

What we wish she had also told her people is that, now that the elections are coming and politicians are, in effect, girding for the contests that will lead to the choice of those who will sit in office for the next three years, that they must fight cleanly, as Manny Pacquiao did, to show what they have, to give what they can, and then win so convincingly that there could be no doubt about their victory.

When Manny Pacquiao pummeled Jorge Solis and sent him to the floor twice, everybody knew that victory was practically in his bag already. And when the referee counted, with Solis still unable to pick himself up as the count reached TEN, everyone, be he Mexican, Filipino or just an interested sports lover, knew who the winner was. The win was clean - and clear. Let it be that way with our elections and with our candidates. Let them campaign and submit to the election, but let them make sure they don't cheat, don't play dirty tricks or commit fouls, both before and after the voting.*