Unlike his extraordinary achievements in the boxing ring Manny Pacquiao has a not so impressive 0-1, (1) record in the political ring. Pacquiao?s first attempted to win a parliamentary seat in the southern port city of General Santos was in 2007, he lost to Darlene Antonio-Custodio.
This time the Filipino boxing sensation is preparing for his May 10th battle to win a congressional seat in the province of Sarangani, on the southern tip of the Philippines. Pacquiao spoke of his desire to serve his country. “I want them to believe, I want them to trust me? said the 31-year-old. The country has so much corruption, something I believe I can change.
Pacquiao spoke like a passionate politician as he explained the need for better education, health care and basic medical assistance. ?The region does not even have a hospital to call its own?, said the pound for pound king. (According to the last general elections, it has a total voting population of 222,912 voters).
Boxing fans around the world will be watching the elections anxiously, will there be ramifications for the Filipinos boxing career should his political endeavours be successful? Is the question on everyone?s mind?
The boxing world awaits a mega-fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr, should the aforementioned be successful in his upcoming bout with Shane Mosley on May 1st at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV. Should the Filipino become a member of parliament it will only further hinder the bout the boxing world has been craving for well over a year.
Hearing Pacquiao speak its evident he has found his route out of the sport, aged 31 the internal clock is ticking and what better road to travel than the one that will keep him under the spotlight and serving the people of the Philippines, something he is all to accustom with in his boxing career and an environment in which he seems to thrive.
