PACQUIAO ENDORSES FIRST CANDIDATE FOR MAY POLLS

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GENERAL Santos City -- Filipino boxing superstar Manny "PacMan"

Pacquiao has made his first formal endorsement of a policital candidate to the coming May elections here Wednesday night.

Pacquiao, who is also reportedly being lured to run in the elections, had publicly endorsed his good friend Reynaldo "Bong-Bong" Constantino for mayor in the municipality of Malungon, Sarangani Province.

Constantino, 49, a former vice-mayor of Malungon will reportedly run against incumbent Mayor Teody Padernilla, who beat him by only a thousand votes in the 2004 elections.

"Nakita ko kasi sa kanya (Constantino) na tapat siyang tao at maganda talaga ang kanyang hangarin sa Malungon kaya ko siya susuportahan," said Pacquiao, who hosted a fellowship dinner with the barangay captains and officials of Malungon at the Sydney Hotel."Bihira akong nagtitiwala agad sa isang tao. Alam kong maganda ang kanyang hangarin sa Malungon at pareho kami na gustong umunlad ang Malungon," added Pacquiao, who owns a cock farm in Barangay Banahaw, Malungon that was developed and managed by Constantino early this year.

Pacquiao wants to see more roads developed and electricity installed in Malungon. He said that the government should always improve or work for the people not only during election period.

"Dapat tayong mag-improve taon-taon, parang boxing dapat mag-sikap ka upang mag-improve ka lagi," Pacquiao said.

Constantino got his initial support with the presence of barangay captains Romy Geonzon of Upper Biangon, Eddie Yuson (Banate), Ben Takyawan (San Miguel), Yoly Santos (Datalbila), Aurelia Yanson (Kiblat), Virgilio Asgapo (Tamban), Mario Tan (Nagpan), Eddie Tiwado (Lower Mainit) and Cuye Malayan (Bo. Bilaan) and Municipal Kagawad Jorge Calanao.

Also present were his wife Roselyn and daughters Cristina, Ma. Theresa, Reyian Mae and Katrina.

"I had decided to run again to continue my public service," said Constantino, son of the late vice-governor and mayor Felipe, who died in a vehicular accident this year.