EARLY results from a number of precincts across several towns in Sarangani are showing Manny Pacquiao is winning in his second attempt to land a seat in the House of Representatives.
Pacquiao is leading over businessman Roy Chiongbian, scion of an old political clan in the province, in majority of precincts already counted.
Pacquiao?s camp said if the trend continues, the Filipino boxing champion is poised for a major upset.
The Chiongbians, however, is not yet conceding defeat as the results reportedly is only a miniscule representative of the total number of registered voters in the province.
The Chiongbians have reigned in the province since Sarangani was created in 1992.
Except for a brief period in 1998 to 2001, the Chiongbians were in control of the lone congressional seat of Sarangani.
Pacquiao adopted the home province of his wife Jinkee after a disastrous attempt to unseat outgoing Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio in nearby General Santos City.
He is coming off a unanimous victory over Joshua Clottey in March to defend his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown which further boosted his stock and popularity.
His candidate for the governor however is trailing behind incumbent Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez.
Chiongbian is the youngest of son of the late Rep. James Chiongbian who authored the law that created Sarangani province out of South Cotabato.
He is trying to succeed his elder brother Rep. Erwin Chiongbian who is in his third and last term.
Both camps have accused each other of massive vote buying.
Boxing writer Michael Marley said Pacquiao reportedly spent a whooping US$2 million in the week leading to Monday?s election alone.
Pacquiao even openly declared he will give Php 500,000 (US$11,000) for every barangay that will deliver a straight victory for his slate on the last day of the campaign period as reported in the press.
If he wins, Pacquiao will make history by becoming the first Filipino boxer to win a seat in Philippine Congress.
