KIAMBA, Sarangani ? Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao was all set to vote in the province of Sarangani in southern Philippines on Monday morning, as of posting time.
The 7-division world champion Pacquiao is seeking another shot at a congressional seat, this time in his wife Jinkee’s home province. He is confident that he?ll win this time after losing in his first attempt at a congressional seat.
?I’m very confident to win the election. I always thank God for everything he gave to me. Sa lahat ng mga fans ko, thank you very much for your support,? said Pacquiao.
The boxer, accompanied by his wife Jinkee, arrived at the Kiamba Central Elementary School at around 7:45 a.m.
He said he worked hard in his political campaign, which came after he beat Ghanaian Joshua Clottey last March.
?I didn’t sleep yet but it’s okay, it’s judgement day,? said a beaming Pacquiao.
Pacquiao?s first attempt at politics was in 2007, when he lost to incumbent Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio in South Cotabato.
Jinkee said she is giving her all out support for her husband.
“As a wife, I’m 100 percent behind him,” she said.
His wife’s relatives in Sarangani are confident that Pacquiao will win this time.
They said that they are prepared to protest if they sense any cheating from Pacquiao?s rival Roy Chiongbian, brother of the outgoing Rep. Erwin Chiongbian.
Chiongbian is expected to cast his ballot in an elementary school 5 kilometers from Pacquiao?s precinct.
Glitches in Pacman precinct
Before Pacquiao arrived, there were minor problems in the clustered precinct where he voted.
The ballots for Pacquiao?s voting precinct were released belatedly at 5 a.m. Monday even if poll watchers were not present.
The Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) for the precinct were also forced to walk from the Sarangani Municipal Hall to the polling center since their cash advance had not yet been released. — With a report from Jay Dayupay, ABS-CBN Soksargen
