CONTRASTING FORTUNES: Sportsmen’s political bids draw mixed results

Sports personalities experienced the joy of winning and agony of defeat in their respective political bids during the midterm elections on Monday.

Eight-time world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao suffered a knockout punch in his bid to reclaim his seat in the Senate.

The 46-year-old Pacquiao, who now oversees the operations of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, failed to land on the circle after garnering 10,205,196 votes for an 18th place finish late Tuesday afternoon. And with 97.27 percent of the votes already counted, it’s quite impossible for the hard-hitting, lightning-quick boxer to stand up and sneak in a lucky punch.

Over in Quezon Province, former University of Santo Tomas star Jeric Teng made a successful run for councilor in Gumaca town.

Teng, whose mother, Susan, traced her roots from Gumaca, ran a very successful campaign with house-to-house engagement and basketball clinics to finish second in the balloting with 14,882 votes.

“I sincerely thank my beloved kababayan for the trust and support you have given me. I will not waste your love and trust,” said Teng, son of Philippine Basketball Association great Alvin Teng and brother of San Miguel Beer forward Jeron Teng.

“Expect that I will do my best to serve you and work hard as your councilor.”

Philippine Olympic Committee second vice president Richard Gomez also won a second term as congressman of the fourth district of Leyte with 171,113 votes.

Gomez, a former national team member and president of the Philippine Fencing Association, is now waiting for his proclamation as 99.18 percent of the votes were already counted at press time.

Meanwhile, University Athletic Association of the Philippines executive director Rebo Saguisag is clinging on to eighth place as he trails Atty. Dino Imperial by a slim margin for the final spot in the Makati City council.

Saguisag, son of late Senator Rene Saguisag and former gymnastics president Dulce Saguisag, currently has 62,881 votes while Imperial has 63,196 votes, making the uncounted two percent of the remaining votes very crucial.

“Do not celebrate prematurely. Pedal to the metal. Ain’t over ‘til it’s over,” the amiable Saguisag posted on his social media page.

Like Pacquiao, who carried the national flag during the Beijing Olympics in 2008, former Olympian Eric Buhain also lost a congressional seat in the first district of Batangas.

The incumbent Buhain drew 87,449 votes to lose his seat at the House of Representative to Leandro Leviste, the son of Senator Loren Legarda who posted 257,996 votes.

Like a sportsman that he is, Buhain took to social media his appreciation and gratitude to his supporters while wishing the 32-year-old Leviste the best of luck.

“We know that the battle will not be easy right from the start,” Buhain said.

“But we fought fair, we fought with respect, and we fought for your future. Even if we didn’t win, we have no regrets.”

“To all who joined us until the end, thank you so much. We love you.”

In San Juan, former PBA superstars James Yap and Don Allado were reelected to the city council in Districts 1 and 2, respectively, together with former De La Salle University forward Francis Zamora, who retained his seat as City Mayor.

On the other hand, former San Miguel sniper Dondon Hontiveros failed to knock down a three-pointer as he lost his bid to become the vice mayor of Cebu City.

Hontiveros’ contemporary in Kenneth Duremdes also failed to land a spot in the Lower House being the third nominee of the MPBL party list behind former Pacquiao spokesperson Ronwald Munsayac and Jinkee Pacquiao.