Lieutenant Colonel Manny Pacquiao is a shame

The Office of the President, courtesy of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. just signed the commission papers of Congressman Manny Pacquiao promoting him to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. I have nothing against Pacquiao, but I have tons of questions for Malacanang. It seems that Malacanang does not even know the consequences of bestowing such ranks. It seems that the palace is too lazy to read the Armed Forces of the Philippines rules on this, and that it dispenses these ranks like how Noynoy treats chocolate candies.

(By the way, do you know that it is a sign of depression when a person indulges in chocolates. Presidential tattle tale Abbygail Valte just revealed that the President is now very addicted to chocolates and "sweets". For the President, these tiny indulges energizes him. Really now?)

First off, what did Pacquiao do to deserve such an honor? That he now is the world's pound for pound fighter, is that it? Or that he is now a politician, a Congressman, and that it is part of the PR of the AFP to offer him this rank in exchange for his support for the AFP's budget?

The AFP gave Pacquiao numerous titles and ranks already and that is more than enough. Why dangle him a lieutenant colonel post? Did Malacanang knows that only college graduates deserve such titles and ranks?

Do you think a battalion of more than 200 soldiers will die and follow Pacquiao to a fight with the rebels in Sulu or Basilan or thru the hinterlands of Quezon province? Think of this foolishness!

The rank is both an inspirational as well as an aspirational post. Lowly soldiers fight for that rank with their lives and their limbs, and sometimes, even their own families suffer just for them to get this rank and now, we will be giving it to somebody just because he's a world-wide boxing phenomenon?

Really now, tell me please and I pray---was Pacquiao fighting for the country each and every time? No. He's fighting for the tons of dollars he'll get when he demolishes a foe. He's training because he does not want to get hurt in the ring, not because of national glory.

Tell me please---what benefits did the people get for each and every Pacquiao fight except the excitement of the sight of bloodbath and the momentary allure of seeing a Kababayan pummel a foreigner.

Please, pray, tell me---how many projects did Pacquiao already accomplished for the people of Saranggani? How about the bills already approved or authored by Pacquiao that benefited the lowly worker, the construction workers, the shopping girls, the farmers, the fishermen, or even the bakers? Heard anything of Pacquiao donating his tons of money to uplift the lives of the poor, or even the ranks of the bakers? None.

In each and every battle of Pacquiao, don't kid ourselves that he is fighting for us. He is fighting for himself. And gets tons of money for doing so.

Nothing changes every single time that he fights. We remain the same. Yes, we satiate our thirst for blood every single time he fights but that's about it. Does he deserve such a rank? No, Pacquiao does not deserve such ranks because he did nothing or sacrificed nothing to deserve such titles.

These titles are not like candies, Mr. President that we give to those whom we please. These are ranks and titles that are bestowed to people who sacrificed their very selves for the benefit of the Majority. These are leadership positions that a man such as Pacquiao, at this point, would not understand.

These ranks and titles have blood written all over them, ranks that honor courage, bravery, leadership, intelligence and all other qualities of a fighting man. Is Pacquiao a fighter? Yes, in the ring. How about in the field? Nothing, no record at all. And now, we are giving him a rank that requires him to think critically and strategically, for him to be able to demolish the enemy and save the lives of his fellow soldiers in the field of battle.

I bet you my bottom dollar---ask Pacquiao a military term and chances are, he'll just shrug his shoulders and give you a PR answer.

Will you entrust the lives of soldiers to somebody who does'nt give a damn about strategies and tactics in warfare? What will a Lt. Colonel Pacquiao teach these war-hardened soldiers under his command? To dock when the enemy punches, is that it? Or it is better to run than to stand like a pole when an enemy advances? Tell me, I pray.

Soldiers should militate against this practice. This is quite shameful, err, sacrilegious even.