Sports personalities running in the 2016 elections

MANILA, Philippines – Thousands of candidates will be running for office during the 2016 Philippine Elections on Monday, May 9, and some of those include personalities in the country’s sports landscape.

The name that immediately stands out is that of 8-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, who’s regarded as the greatest Filipino ever in the sport and is running for senate this year. 

The 37-year-old Pacquiao, who’s also a part-time coach and player for the Mahindra Enforcers in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), has been the Sarangani Representative since winning the seat in the 2010 Philippine Elections.

Former De La Salle Green Archer Francis Zamora, who was part of the school’s UAAP title teams in 1998 and 1999, is running for mayor of San Juan as part of the Nacionalista Party after serving two terms as vice mayor. Going up against him is current San Juan mayor Guia Gomez.

Another former La Salle varsity athlete, and also known as one of the prominent figures of Philippine entertainment, Edu Manzano, is also running for a senatorial seat.

Staying in San Juan, a former UE Red Warrior great and long-time PBA player Paul Artadi is hoping to win a seat by running for councilor under the ticket of Zamora. Artadi, now 35, helped lead University of the East to multiple UAAP Final Four appearances and played with 6 PBA teams throughout his 11-year career, which included 3 All-Star appearances. 

Another former PBA great in Vergel Meneses is also trying his luck in politics. The 1995 PBA MVP and current head coach of the JRU Heavy Bombers in the NCAA is running for vice mayor in Bulacan.

Other notable names who can be voted for include UAAP coaching great and current Adamson Falcons head coach Franz Pumaren, who’s running for councilor in the third district of Quezon City; Jobe Nkemakolan, who won a UAAP basketball title with Ateneo in Season 71, is running for congressman in the fourth district of Manila; and former PBA player Mark Andaya, who is running for councilor in the fifth district of Manila.

Even the owner of a PBA team, GlobalPort Batang Pier’s Mikee Romero, is running for Congress and is the first nominee of the 1Pacman Party List.

“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,” Romero was quoted in a PhilStar column by Quinito Henson.

“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.”

Eric Pineda, the team manager of the Enforcers, is the second nominee of the party list.

Over the past few weeks, a TV commercial which includes the endorsements of Romero by the Philippines’ premier athletes has been airing.

Included in the ad are popular PBA players Terrence Romeo, James Yap, Jayson Castro, Marc Pingris, and LA Tenorio; top-tier volleyball players Aby Maraño and Rachel Anne Daquis; and many more.

– Rappler.com