Ohohoy!

It’s a sad day for my and Mr. A’s alma mater not just because it lost to its archrival in basketball recently but also because one of its alumni appears to be suffering from acute stupidity. Philippine congressman Rufus Rodriguez, awarded “Most Outstanding Alumnus” by our school in 1999, is lobbying to halt the Dec. 6 fight between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya, supposedly out of concern for the risks posed by the Golden Boy’s advantage in height, heft, and experience over the Pacman.

If there’s any case Rufus the Doofus is trying to build here (being a lawyer that he is), it’s one that just adds to longtime impressions that our school’s alumni always put form before substance. Or to put it more succinctly, porma muna bago sustansya. I mean c’mon!  The guy’s a politician first and foremost, and anyone, including Manny himself, can see through his plan.  Props to the congressman, though, for knowing the most important equation in Philippine-style politics: stupid idea = media mileage = political gain.

The real issue here is whether or not De La Hoya’s perceived advantage over Pacquiao merits cancellation of their fight.  I think the lawmaker’s “mismatch” innuendo undermines the institutional integrity of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which approved the contest, and belittles the working knowledge and the resulting achievements of trainer Freddie Roach, who assures us that his ward could take on, nay, even defeat De La Hoya.  

Wonder no more why Rufus seems like a bright boy.

The one sore thumb in this dream fight - and probably the reason why Rodriguez is raising a howl of protest - is the very obvious motivation for making it happen: it’s all about the money. Perhaps our favorite congressman believes that no good ever comes out of less noble motives.  I hope, for his constituents’ sake, that his running for office was borne out of nobler intents.

I’m not giving up hope on Rodriguez just yet.  His might only be a case of too much proximity with a former Philippine president that they have started to think alike.  That the latter studied at our school’s archrival provides a clue where the Doofus got the inspiration to think up his latest idea, if indeed it involved thinking.

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