MANILA, Philippines – Boxing icon and Sarangi Rep. Manny Pacquiao's past vices won’t hinder him from becoming a good bible ambassador, a bishop said on Saturday.

“Sino ba naman ang walang nakaraan sa atin? Wala namang taong purong kabutihan lang. Pero hinahamon tayo ng Diyos sa kabutihan. Ang mahalaga sa Diyos ay ang kasalukuyan at ang ating hinaharap,” said Pablo David of the Episcopal Commission on Bibilical Apostolate of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

David has asked Pacquiao to serve as the Church’s bible ambassador but the congressman has yet to give his reply.

“No pressure. Ito ay on his own,” said David in an interview with dzMM.

Last month, Pacquiao disclosed during a one-on-one interview with Dyan Castillejos that he has renewed his faith and turned his back on vices, including womanizing, gambling and drinking.

“Pwede nating talikuran ang anumang nagawa natin sa nakaraan at natutuwa nga kami si Manny nagbibigay ng mabuting halimbawa para dito,” the bishop added.

But whether or not Pacman accepts the offer, David said they are happy to know that he and his family read the bible.

“Natutuwa kami at siya ay nagbubukas ng bibliya at nagbabasa ng salita ng Diyos dahil ito ay nabibigay ng inspirasyon sa ating lahat at kung anuman ang maitutulong namin sa pagpapalalim pa ng pagunawa sa bibliya nandito lang tayo,” he said.

Other bishops opposing

While David is hoping that Pacquiao would take the offer, retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz is frowning on it.

“Personally, tutol ako dahil parang gamitan ng tao. Baka naman mali ako, ganun lang ang aking naramdaman ng nasabi 'yan. Ang akin lang po, para bang ginagamit lang siya. I think that is not fair. Mas mabuti na po yung walang gamitan,” Cruz said.

Cruz clarified that he is not belittling or passing judgment on Pacquiao.

“Alam naman natin ang kanyang buhay moral bilang ama, asawa ay hindi naman ganon kalinis. Mayroon pa yatang mga mansta dito, doon. Hindi ko po minamaliit si Mr. Pacman, kung di papaano po naman magiging bible ambassador 'yong ganon?” he asked.

Cruz also pointed out that one has to be an expert in the bible to become a biblical representative.

“Hindi ko po hinuhusgahan si Ginoong Manny. Ang sabi ko lang, baka may mas karapat-dapat sa gawain na 'yan. Hindi po madali 'yan,” he said.

The archbishop also said that many bishops are likewise opposing the idea.

“Hindi pa naman po aprubado ng CBCP as a whole. Marami po akong natanong na mga bishops na ayaw e. Nakausap ko kahapon ayaw po nila,” he said.

Bible reading

David said it would make them happy if Pacquiao decides to partner with them in promoting bible reading among Catholics.

“Kasi mga katoliko, they are mostly listeners of the bible and of course 'yon ang mahalaga talaga ang makinig sa salita ng Diyos at maisabuhay ito,” he said.

Aside from that, they would like Pacquiao to help the CBCP encourage more Catholics to own, read and live by the bible.

“Since Manny Pacquiao is getting serious about reading the bible, the Word of God, baka makakatulong siya sa amin,” said David. “Itong kampanyang ito ay malaking maitutulong ng celebrities kasi may influence sila sa mga tao. Sana magamit din ang influence na 'yon para sa mabuti."

“Kung ite-take ni Manny Pacquiao 'yong challenge, we will be very happy about that,” he added. - With dzMM