GENERAL SANTOS CITY -With Manny Pacquiao’s money, popularity and charisma, this new fight is in the bag.
We’re not talking about Pacman’s scheduled fight with Mexico’s Oscar Larios in July. Pacquiao has hinted that he may try his hand in politics in next year’s local elections.
Contrary to rumors, the World Boxing Council super featherweight champion said he would not be running against City Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr.
Acharon is Pacquiao’s close friend.
“Mayor Acharon still has one term. I respect him a lot so I will run in Kiamba first,” he told reporters here on Wednesday.
Kiamba, which is in nearby Sarangani province, is the hometown of Pacquiao’s wife, Jinky.
“I have been helping people. I want to serve and I want to serve more,” the boxing champ said.
But when reporters pressed him to confirm his intention to run for mayor in Kiamba, Pacquiao smiled and said: “I am not yet declaring.”
Romy Neri, a close aide of Pacquiao, confirmed to the Inquirer that last April, the Filipino ring idol went to the Kiamba municipal Commission on Elections office to register as a voter in the town.
He said the boxing sensation also purchased a property in Kiamba, which is more or less 90 kilometers from here.
Political observers here said Pacquiao could prove to be a strong contender with his money, popularity and charisma.
Neri said it was incumbent Mayor Danny Martinez of Kiamba who convinced Pacquiao to run for mayor.
He said under the plan, Martinez, who is on his last term as chief executive, would be Pacquiao’s running mate.
“It was mayor Martinez who planned the whole thing,” Neri said.
