Recently retired eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao cast his ballot Monday in the Philippines and is close to winning his bid to become a senator, running a solid ninth with nearly 15 million votes, according to Pacquiao spokesman Fred Sternburg.
With 91% of the precincts counted, Pacquiao has 14,921,177 votes. The four vote-getters behind him each have 13 million-plus votes. The top 12 make it to the Senate.
Pacquiao won a month ago against Timothy Bradley in what he said was his final professional fight. Afterwards he said he was officially retired.
Pacquiao voted in his home area of southern Sarangani province Monday morning. According to the Washington Post, voter preference surveys put him near the top of the senatorial candidates, recovering from an earlier drop in his ratings due to his remarks about same-sex marriage.
Pacquiao is the most famous Filipino athlete of all time and is among the wealthiest athletes in the world.
He has represented Sarangani in the House of Representatives since 2010.
