Sportsmen as candidates for office

There’s a long list of sports figures who are running for public office in Monday’s elections. Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao heads the cast as the most prominent sports personality of all. He’s running for senator. Two other sportsmen are senatorial candidates – two-time World Cup bowler Tito Sotto and former La Salle varsity basketball player Edu Manzano.

Another former La Salle varsity cager Francis Zamora is running for mayor of San Juan. And still another former Green Archer, now Adamson head coach Franz Pumaren is seeking a return as councilor in the third district of Quezon City. Former Ateneo cager Jobe Nkemakolam is running for congressman in the fourth district of Manila as the PDP Laban candidate. Former ABAP president Roilo Golez is looking at another term as congressman in the second district of Parañaque. PBA veteran Paul Artadi is running for councilor in San Juan.

Taekwondo champion Ali Atienza is running for vice mayor of Manila. Former PBA players Mark Andaya and Turo Valenzona are candidates for councilor in the fifth district of Manila where Solar Entertainment chairman William Tieng’s son Irwin, a former Party List congressman, is also a candidate for the same seat.

Former PBA coach Binky Favis is seeking reelection as councilor in the second district of Parañaque. PBA legend Freddie Webb’s son Hubert, whose brother Jason is the Star Hotshots coach, is out for a councilor’s slot in the first district of Parañaque. Philippine Tennis Association president Edwin Olivarez is going for another mandate as mayor of Parañaque.

Former POC first vice president and ABAP president Manny Lopez is running for congressman in the first district of Manila while former PSC chairman Harry Angping is a candidate for congressman in the third district of Manila. A reelectionist candidate for councilor is Anton Capistrano, whose father Terry is the manager of the La Salle varsity basketball team, in the fourth district of Manila. No less than the Living Legend, former senator Robert Jaworski, has endorsed Capistrano’s candidacy and even campaigned with him in the vote-rich area of Sampaloc.

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In Quezon City, PATAFA president Philip Juico’s daughter Lena Marie or Mayen is a candidate for councilor in the first district while former pro wrestling commentator and actor Johnny Revilla, previously a Party List congressman, is a candidate for councilor in the fifth district.

In Pangasinan, Ambassador Danding Cojuangco’s son Mark is running for governor and Mark’s wife Kimi is seeking reelection as congresswoman in the fifth district. Ambassador Cojuangco’s younger son Charlie is running for congressman in the first district of Tarlac.

In Bulacan, Bulacan, former PBA star Vergel Meneses is running for vice mayor. Another former PBA player Mar Morelos is a candidate for vice mayor in Valenzuela City. Former PBA guard Gerry Esplana’s wife Jenny is seeking a councilor’s seat in the first district of Valenzuela.

In Cebu, former congressman, University of the Visayas owner and basketball coach Eddie Gullas is running for mayor of Talisay City while his grandson Samsam is out for reelection as congressman in the first district. Southwestern University basketball coach Yayoy Alcoseba is running for mayor of Carcar City. Former PBA gunner Boy Cabahug is up for election as councilor in Mandaue City.   

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A sportsman who deserves to be in Congress is GlobalPort team owner Mikee Romero, the first nominee of 1Pacman, No. 25 on the Party List ballot. In TV ads, Romero has been endorsed by Terrence Romeo, James Yap, L. A. Tenorio, Jayson Castro, Marc Pingris and many others. Romero, 45, has been president of the NSAs in shooting and cycling and is an active polo competitor. A former La Salle varsity cager, Romero has a Master’s degree in business and two doctorate degrees in business and political economics. His aim, if elected, is to make sports development a national priority in Congress.

Romero said it’s time to give back and his voice in Congress will assure athletes, coaches and sports enthusiasts of a strong supporter. “Through 1Pacman, I am seeking to represent the marginalized sectors of our society in Congress, aiming to focus not only in sports but also in education and job creation,” he said. “What we need is for government to focus on developing young athletes and providing them venues to compete. Many of our youth have the talent and skills but what they need is extensive training and opportunities to compete in high-level tournaments.” 1Pacman’s second nominee is Mahindra team manager Eric Pineda.

Another Party List nominee is Mike Barredo, former PSC commissioner, TOYM awardee, former president of the International Blind Sports Association and president of the National Paralympic Committee of the Philippines. Barredo, 61, lost his sight in a car accident in 1979 but never allowed the disability to deter his drive to champion the cause of the differently-abled. His Party List is Disabled/PWD, No. 66 on the ballot.