GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Manny Pacquiao held meetings with barangay leaders Sunday, a strong indication that the charismatic boxing champion is not turning his back on his political ambitions.
“Desidido na ako,” said Pacquiao as he was piecing together his itinerary at his P35-million mansion.
Pacquiao is eyeing a congress seat in the first district of South Cotabato in the May 14 elections. He will be up against the incumbent Darlene Antonino-Custodio.
The first district covers General Santos City and the towns of Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan with an estimated 400,000 registered voters.
In a gesture that could be interpreted as the start of his campaign to woo voters, Pacquiao formed the People’s Champ Movement which gives out free accident insurance coverage to city residents.
Under the plan hatched by his political advisers, composed of a high-profile lawyer and city and town leaders, Pacquiao will file his certificate of candidacy on Mar. 29, the last day of filing for those seeking local posts.
It is likely that election lawyer Romeo Makalintal will file it on behalf of Pacquiao who would already be deep in training by that time at the Wild Card in Los Angeles.
All the signs of a full-blown political campaign could be felt, seen and heard as Pacquiao revs up for a series of consultative meetings not only with the city’s barangay leaders but with those from the neighboring town of Polomolok where the Dole plantation is located.
Since it was a rest day— Pacquiao does not train on Sundays—the boxing star used the free time to meet with leaders of these areas as he prepares to depart for the United States on Mar. 14 for the final phase of his training for the April 14 fight with Jorge Solis of Mexico at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Pacquiao admitted he’s quite overwhelmed with the influx of appointments.
“This is mind-blowing,” said Pacquiao after going through the schedule for the day with a pen while his two mobile phones ring continuously.
“I am leaving soon so I have to rush these things,” said Pacquiao, who should be back in the country on April 17 to start his campaign. “I will no longer rest for a few days in LA as I have done before. I will fly to Manila (from San Antonio via Los Angeles) the day after my fight.”
While Solis also poses a threat to Pacquiao, it is the daunting task of winning another fight that is foremost on Pacquiao’s mind these days.
