MANNY PACQUIAO, like many sports heroes who have captured the national imagination, is being urged by his friends to enter politics.
But Pacquiao is not ready to jump into this uncharted water. Not so soon, anyway.
Despite the urgings of his politician friends such as North Cotabato Gov. Manny Pi?ol and Gen. Santos City Mayor Pedro Acharon who went to Las Vegas to cheer for him, he said politics is far from his mind.
Besides boxing the Filipino icon said his time is consumed by his other activities such as billiards and cockfighting where he is reported to bet heavily.
“Sa ngayon wala pa sa isip ko ang pulitika. Bukod kasi sa bilyar at sabong, pinagpapatuloy ko ang pagaaral ko,” said Pacquiao during yesterday?s SCOOP Sa kamayan weekly forum where he appeared as guest along with equestrienne Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski and Toni Leviste.
When pressed what he?s taking up in his home study, everybody almost fell from their seats when he quickly answered: “political science.”
That, of course, was said in jest.
Unlike in his previous TV appearances, the Ring magazine?s people?s champion appeared jovial in the extended one and-a-half sports forum.
But like in his previous statements, the 26-year-old native of General Santos City said he won?t give up in his bid to have a rematch with Mexican Erik Morales.
“Hindi pa tapos ang laban. Marami pang nahihintay na laban at babawi tayo kay Morales,” said Pacquiao who will fly to Los Angeles on April 12 to settle his financial differences between him and his former promoter Murad Muhamad, including what he said is his share in the pay-per?view income he believes he is entitled to.
“Doon sa kasong isasampa ko laban kay Murad, ang abogado na ang bahala doon. Kaya ako pupunta sa LA ay para mag-umpisa sa pag-eensayo. Siguro within two-and-a-half months pag natanggal na ako tali sa sugat ko,” Pacquiao revealed.
Pacquiao admitted he has already realized he cannot be a boxer, a billiards player and a cockfighter at the same time. But he doesn?t know yet what to give up and when.
“Sa tatlong talo ko sa career ko, kasama na ang kay Morales, marami akong natutuhang leksyon na tinatandaan ko,” he said.
