A day after Monday’s elections in the Philippines, boxing’s all-time great Manny Pacquiao joined an exclusive and elite cadre of athletes-turned politicians.
PHOTOS: Athletes-turned Politicians
Pacquiao was considered a political underdog against entrenched opponent Roy Chiongbian for the lone congressional seat in Saranggani Province in the Philippines.
On Tuesday, it was clear that the “Pacman” had garnered enough votes to declare a landslide “knockout” victory to become congressman-elect in the 15th Philippine House of Congress.
Pacquiao had previously stated that his priorities for the 225,000+ populace in his district are jobs, education, and healthcare.
From growing up in dire poverty, often sleeping in cardboard boxes, to becoming one of the sport’s all time greats, the people have formally accorded him the “People’s Champ.”
Examiner.com (Michael Marley) reports from Pacquiao’s campaign headquarters in General Santos City that the “Pacman” spent close to $260,000 in the hours leading up to election day on May 10 in order to secure support for his second congressional bid.
In the presidential race, Senator Benigno “NoyNoy” Aquino won by a large margin over second place candidate and disgraced former Philippine President Joseph “Erap” Estrada.
