MANILA, Philippines – A Malaca?ang spokesman on Friday reacted to news that Filipino boxing champ and Sarangani congressman Manny Pacquiao is planning to run for vice-president in the 2016 election.
“It is a testament to our democracy that Manny Pacquiao who grew up poor and worked hard to succeed can aspire to the second highest office,” Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang said in a text message when asked about reports that Pacquiao wants to run for vice-president.
Presidential adviser on political affairs Ronald Llamas, meanwhile, said it is Pacquiao’s right to run for higher office if he so wishes.
“Karapatan nya kung gusto niyang tumakbo bagamat hindi pa ito napag-uusapan sa Palasyo,” he said.
Pacquiao earlier said he will run for governor in the 2013 polls, possibly cutting short his stint as Sarangani congressman.
On Friday, the boxing champ told a radio station that he plans to run for vice-president after he quits boxing. Report from Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News
