The first bad news about Manny Pacquiao’s campaign for Sarangani’s lone congressional district came out the other day, detailing the killing of his two supporters by motorcycle-riding gunmen.

Pacquiao’s supporters, identified as Alexander Anpan, a Sanggunian Kabataan chairman of Barangay Datu Dani, and his step-father Narocol Agil, a former barangay official, were fired at while walking on their way home.

They were murdered, according to witnesses, because of their strong support for Manny Pacquiao’s candidacy.

Art Peduca, coordinator of the People’s Champ Movement under which the boxing champion is running, believes the killing was meant to dissuade local residents from voting for the international boxing idol.

This is unfortunate because the gory incident this early at once delivered a message that Pacquiao’ supporters cannot just ignore.

Although provincial police director Senior Supt. Resty Gatera would not categorically say the killing was politically motivated, others who knew the victims were certain the reason for the murder was their active support for Pacquiao’s candidacy in the 2010 elections.

Peduca insisted there was no other plausible reason for the murder.

The truth is, as everybody is aware, Pacquiao is totally unprepared for the job he is so arduously pursuing.

There are important and sensitive roles that a member of the legislative assembly must perform and people are just wondering how the world’s boxing champ would fare in case the Sarangani electorates would make him win the House seat.

Can he be of any help, for example, in the development of any party position? Or in policy development in communicating party position on important issues of the day?

How about the rules on parliamentary questions?

Probably, he can help ensure members’ attendance during sessions and meetings, but can he be of help in developing caucus agenda with principal leaders?

Can he lead debates, negotiate with House leaders, initiate policy formulations and policy decisions?

These are only some of the roles that members of Congress have to play – and perform them creditably – and Pacman may not really measure up.

Truth to tell, Manny Pacquiao has already attained what most Congress leaders – senators, included – simply cannot hope even to dream of.

So, again, we ask, what else does Manny want, huh?

(zhern_218@yahoo.com)