Question for our Filipino contributors: Is it time for Manny to leave the Philippines for 5-10 years?

[Roscoe O: WE CAN WE WILL!]

Being superstar/iconic athlete is tough in any market because ultimately the show must end and the crowds disappear. However, it's even worse for fighters in markets where there is a wide disparity between rich & poor, overly excessive corruption in all levels of government and population demographics that historically leads toward social instability even under the best conditions.

My question is; given that this loss has turned Manny from mythical god to normal human, is it wise for him to continue a political career and life in the Philippines? Do you expect building resentment for his fame AND fortune to bubble up to the surface now that an hora of protection has been removed? Do you think the political elite that resent his climb from poverty to an elevated status in society will try to eliminate him politically (corruption charges, tax evasion etc.) or physically (staged execution)?

Manny has done the remarkable and broken through a b.s. class system (that every society has to some degree) in his lifetime, will there be repercussions for it or do you feel he will continue to be accepted by every level of Philippine society?
@Odlanyer- I have no doubt many in the Philippines will continue to show gratitude and kindness to a man that literally covered the globe with positive publicity about the country. In fact, prior to Manny the last sustained media coverage the Philippines received in the U.S. (that I can remember) was the whole Ferdinand/Imelda Marcos story and that was over 25 years ago. The balance between life and death is so thin that in a crowd of 1,000 loyal/adoring fans it only takes 1 with bad intentions to kill or injure. Even in the U.S. politics is a tough sport where both opponents and allies will turn on you at the first sign of weakness to increase their power (see Trent Lott, John Edwards, Jesse Jackson etc.), but fortunately we are no longer at the stage where political loss means execution or incarceration as many countries experience today. If one doesn't truly have a passion for a given set of core values becoming a martyr simply is to high a price to pay for ones life. I wish him
@Bundini- Sure he can fight, but outside of Mayweather there is nobody left. After a loss like this I wouldn't expect high U.S. PPV numbers if just fought people without a name and that's a tough thing to deal with when you're accustomed to being on top of the mountain.
@EWWD- Man I hope not, but it wouldn't be the first time a current or former athlete was murdered. Macho Camacho is just a recent example of bad endings.
@everyone- thumbs up for the answers.

[Amazingclub045]

he will wind up like that soccer goalie from Argentina who got shot up in 1994 for losing a game

[odlanyer]

No. Manny Pacquiao is a Congressman in the Philippines and leaving means abandonment of his duty he swore in. Things happen in life and Filipino knows that Pacquiao is not the only son of HIM. They knew that one of this days, he will eventually loss and that time comes unfortunately in the worst of time after a storm devastated the country. Everybody look up to him and him winning is a consolation for all the hardship they're now experiencing. There is light at the end of the tunnel for sure, and things happen sometimes in a strange ways. him losing could be a blessing in disguise for him and all of those who in one way or another support him.

Civility was also observed in the country of Philippines that no harsh action will happen in any way whether he win or loss. I am sure Filipinos knew how to pay gratitude with gratitude and kindness with kindness. There are some who personally doesn't like Manny for whatever reason but those who loved him far outnumbered the haters. I believed he retain his stature as statesman although not as a fighter but nevertheless he will be respected and loved as before and no reason not to after all what he have done.

[Lord]

His political career is also over, unless he wins another victory; like for instance, knocking out Mayweather Jr. in the 1st round. Who will give him the power to get him there? No one likely. He has to work his way up to it again.
Basically, his political career should have become meaningless now.

[Dr.Pinoy]

He has done too much good in the philippines for people to hate him. Je needs to dedicate full time to one job. too many distractions going on around him. I seen the old pacquiao last night got careless and got hit with a right hook. Marquez strength improvement is really what made a diff in this fight. He hits pac with that a couple years ago pac walks right through it.

[bundini]

No. He just have to make a choice. He can still fight IMO and I think he has a couple of good and competitive years left in him. But if he wishes to go on fighting, he's got to quit being a politician, an actor, singer and TV host. He's got to focus on the few remaining years in his boxing career. Otherwise, he should call it a day.