By Ben O. Tesiorna

In a surprise move never anticipated by many, the wife of Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) seeking the vice gubernatorial post of Sarangani.

Jinkee Pacquiao's decision to run was reached few minutes before the scheduled filing of COC by candidates of the People's Champ Movement (PCM) on October 2,  2012.

PCM is headed by the boxing champ, Manny, who is seeking reelection as the lone representative of Sarangani to the House of Representatives. Incumbent Vice Governor Steve Solon is running for governor. Incumbent Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez, who is on his third and last term, decided to take a rest from politics.

One Juan Domino was supposed to be Solon's vice governor under PCM, but several mayors of Sarangani reportedly expressed their dissent. Thus Gov. Dominguez instead suggested for Jinkee to replace Domino.

“The decision was arrived at at 10am,” revealed Malapatan  Mayor Alfonso Singcoy.

Jinkee's surprise candidacy was readily accepted by everyone under the PCM.

The Pacquiao couple, along with Vice Gov. Solon and partymates, went to the Commission on Election office at the provincial capitol compound in Sarangani around 1.20 pm Tuesday (Philippine time).

Jinkee hails from Kiamba town in Sarangani. She was a sales promo of cosmetic products in a department store in General Santos City when she met Manny Pacquiao who was then a struggling boxer. BOT