People?s Champ Manny Pacquiao got a taste of what it is like to be a congressman during his stop at the House of Representatives Wednesday.
Pacquiao, who was given a lavish welcome upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Wednesday morning, was ushered by lawmakers to stand in front a podium used by congressmen during House sessions.
He was even asked to sit at the table of Quezon City Rep. Annie Rosa Susano (2nd District), who earlier admitted asking Pacquiao to run in her district since she will be vacating it in 2010.
When asked about his feelings about being called ?Congressman Pacquiao?, the boxer just answered with a laugh: ?’Wag muna nating pag-usapan ?yan. Ang pag-usapan namin ang problema sa bayan at sa mga pami-pamilya, kung paano tayo uunlad.”
He said the elections are still far away, and therefore, should be far from his mind.
?Hindi naman eleksyon bukas,? said Pacquiao.
A resolution was filed to recognize Pacquiao’s achievements inside the ring. It noted that beating Oscar de la Hoya was no easy feat.
The lawmakers said Pacquiao?s sense of sacrifice and determination should serve as a model to his countrymen.
Some of the congressmen, including North Cotabato Rep. Jun Pi?ol, Batangas Rep. Victoria Reyes, and Susano, sought Pacquiao?s autograph.
The boxer also met his former political rival South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, who beat him in his first attempt for a congressional seat.
The crowd cheered after seeing the former rivals shake hands and give each other a beso-beso (friendly cheek-to-cheek).
‘Let 2010 handle itself’
Earlier, Pacquiao?s ?political adviser? Environment Secretary Lito Atienza said politics is beyond the fighter?s mind right now amid talks about his political plans in 2010.
?We have not discussed politics before the fight [and] after the fight,? said Atienza during a press conference at the Malaca?ang Tuesday morning.
The environment secretary, who has been Pacquiao?s patron while he was still starting out as a boxer, said he advised the Filipino superstar to concentrate first on what he does best: boxing.
?Payo ko [sa kanya] concentrate on his career as a boxer and continue giving our country glory and honor,? he said.
Atienza added that he told Pacquiao that if he?s thinking of politics, everything will fall into place one day.
?Let events take care of themselves, kung nauukol sa ?yo ang pulitika darating ?yan sa paraan ng landas mo,? said the former Manila mayor.
He also said he could not blame politicians for wanting to get Pacquiao into their stable. A Pacquiao endorsement could mean an easy win in the polls.
??Di masisi ang marami na nag-iisip ng tungkol sa pulitika, kung paano makukuha si Manny sa partido niya,? said Atienza. ?Ang payo ko, 2010 pa ?yan. Let 2010 handle itself.? — With a report from Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News
