GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/1 March) ? Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has not totally turned his back from politics and may still even decide later on to pursue his previous plans to seek a congressional seat in the May 14 elections, his lawyer claimed this morning. Lawyer Franklin Gacal Jr., one of Pacquiao’s close confidantes, said the 28-year-old boxing champion is just taking a “temporary break” from politics so he could concentrate on his April 14 fight in San Antonio, Texas.
Pacquiao, who was reported to have backed out from his earlier declaration to run for congressman in South Cotabato’s first district, is slated to defend his World Boxing Council international super featherweight crown against undefeated Mexican fighter Jorge Solis at the Alamodome.
He resumed training two weeks ago at the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (Abap) gym here.
“He (Pacquiao) has not closed his doors (on politics). He is focused on his upcoming fight right now and he doesn’t want (his election plans) to distract him,” Gacal said.
Gacal said Pacquiao, who swore in last month as member of the Liberal Party-Atienza wing, will reportedly make a final decision after his April fight on whether to join the political fray or not.
“Manny will still have enough time to campaign even if he finalizes his decision after the (April 14) fight,” he said.
Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, Pacquiao’s acknowledged patron and political adviser, announced last Sunday that the latter has decided to withdraw from his political plans after a “heart-to-heart” talk with him in Cebu City on Saturday.
Pacquiao, however, has yet to make a public announcement about the reported turnaround.
Last Monday, he made some rounds in the city and acted as sponsor in a mass wedding ceremony here.
Pacquiao’s supporters also launched on the same day the “people’s champ movement,” his supposed campaign vehicle for the May elections.
George Catapang, one of the local leaders backing Pacquiao’s political bid, said he does not believe that the latter is backing out from the congressional race.
He said Pacquiao’s slate is almost complete and they are only waiting for the March 29 deadline to file their certificates of candidacy.
“I think he was just misquoted by Mayor Atienza,” said Catapang, convenor of the newly-formed Koalisyon ng Bagong Alyansa.
Koalisyon is a broad alliance of local political groups that are allied with the Arroyo administration.
Pacquiao earlier declared to challenge the reelection bid of incumbent Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio of South Cotabato’s first district saying he wants to bring “real development” in the area.
South Cotabato’s first congressional district, which has a voting population of close to 400,000, covers this city and the vote-rich municipalities of Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan.
The boxing star was born and raised in this city but traces his roots in Tampakan, where his father Rosalio hails.(Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews)
