World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has formally thrown his hat into the political arena by joining the Liberal Party (LP) wing of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.
Pacquiao took his oath of membership yesterday before Atienza in simple rites held at the Manila City Hall with his wife, Jinky, as one of the few witnesses.
Even as he became a card-bearing LP member, Pacquiao said he has not made up his mind whether to run for a congressional seat or join the mayoralty race in General Santos City in the May elections.
But he said he will push through with his fight against Mexico?s Jorge Solis, the undefeated Mexican featherweight champion, on April 14 in San Antonio, Texas.
Interviewed live last night by GMA 7 after his oath-taking, Pacquiao said his entry into local politics will not interfere with his match against Solis.
“My fight is on April 14 yet. Tuloy pa rin ang fight ko. I still have one more month to campaign,” he said.
Atienza confirmed that he has long been talking with Pacquiao on the latter?s political plans.
Pacquiao?s “vocation is to serve the people. Serving the public is in his heart and mid. So when he finally decided today to join our party, he said, I was really his adviser for a long time,” he said.
“I?m sure our LP members are very much elated that we have Manny as our newest member,” Atienza added.
He described Pacquiao as a “very prayerful” person who asks for guidance on his decision to run for public office this May.
“And I?m sure he will continue to pray for guidance to get discernment and whatever the Lord says, I?m sure he will follow,” Atienza said.
Atienza believes Pacquiao?s decision to join the LP was based on what the latter had seen of his leadership of the LP and his implementation of the party?s programs and principles in the city of Manila for the past nine years.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao endorsed the senatorial bid of Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, who is running under the administration?s unity ticket.
“We have been friends for a long time. I know that he is a real friend,” he addressed the crowd of mostly administration congressmen at a restaurant in Quezon City, where Pichay declared his candidacy.
Pacquiao?s presence drew loud cheers from the audience, and stole the scene from Speaker Jose de Venecia, who introduced him as the “most famous Filipino in the world.”
Pichay and Pacquiao are both cockfighting aficionados. Pacquiao, who made public his intention to run as mayor of his hometown General Santos City, said he will help the administration coalition.
The 27-year-old boxer initially played coy about his political plans, but eventually conceded that he will be running against incumbent Mayor Pedro Acheron, who happens to be one of his wedding sponsors. He told reporters he is “too young” to run for senator.
Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, a former congressman, also dropped by to express his support for Pichay.
De Venecia initially introduced Belmonte as the “most popular mayor in the country.” Some 10 minutes later, De Venecia described Belmonte as the “most popular mayor in Southeast Asia.”
An elated Pichay expressed gratitude for the expressions of support, and said he is “deeply honored to be part of the administration coalition?s slate which is committed to carry on the President?s agenda of economic and political stability, good governance, and social payback.”
“With the administration?s political machinery, the coalition and the media campaign, I don?t see any reason why the administration ticket will not win,” he said, adding that he will be using the slogan, “Pichay, Itanim sa Senado.”
Pichay will join former presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor, Bukidnon Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri, Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, Sen. Edgardo Angara and comebacking senators Vicente Sotto III and Tessie Aquino-Oreta in the Unity Ticket.
De Venecia said the inclusion of Sen. Ralph Recto in the slate is a “done deal” but that of Sen. Joker Arroyo is still under negotiation. He told reporters the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats party will make the announcement either midnight tonight (Feb. 10) or on Sunday.
The inclusion of actors Richard Gomez, Cesar Montano and Edu Manzano is “still under consideration,” he said.
Pichay chaired the House committee on national defense and security during the 12th Congress. He is also currently President of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and the Philippine Surfing Federation (PSF).
Among the important bills he filed were House Bill 3742 or an act establishing the Philippine Emergency and Disaster Management Authority (PEDMA), HB 1745 or an act increasing the benefits of retired government employees, HB 1748 or an act providing for a Philippine citizenship identification system, HB 1791 or an act penalizing the unlawful importation, possession and sale of chemicals used as ingredients in the manufacture of explosives, HB 1758 or an act including liquefied petroleum gas in the list of basic necessities, HB 1760 or an act mandating the use of the automated teller machine technology in the conduct of national and local polls, and HB 1757 or an act allocating 50 percent of the value-added tax collections to social services. ? with Delon Porcalla
