Pacquiao smiles about early results of congressional bid

GEN. SANTOS CITY, Philippines — A cell phone on his left hand, a hand-held radio on his right and two more cell phones on the table, Manny Pacquiao was a one-man communication center at his mansion late Monday afternoon.

But he wasn’t complaining. He was even smiling.

Reason: His poll watchers spread out all over Sarangani province have been relaying good news. Their exit polls have shown the seven-division champion is going to win by landslide.

And as of 8:07 p.m. on Monday, the unofficial figures (8,600 to 2,000) are validating their claim.

In the nerve center of the Pacquiao campaign in the outskirts of this city, in a modest two-room bungalow, with six computers, giant charts and maps of the seven towns of Sarangani, the results are being monitored closely.

Team Pacquiao refers to it as the Pentagon, the special operations center of the Peoples Champ Movement located at a property of Zaldy Du, a friend of the pound-for-pound king.

Pacquiao, who left home at 7:30 and proceeded to his headquarters to continue monitoring, was so elated by the results that he rendered a few songs complete with guitar accompaniment to the delight of his workers, supporters and foreign and local media.

Also with the group was Bob Arum, who promotes Pacquiao and was here to support his prized ward.

“It’s all good news,” said Pacquiao. “Landslide, joke. Let’s have a victory celebration, joke.”

The early results also validated a survey conducted by Team Pacquiao two weeks back, which showed Pacquiao ahead, 78 percent to 20 percent with two percent undecided.

First Posted 00:18:00 05/11/2010
By Roy Luarca
Philippine Daily Inquirer