Manny Pacquiao will not abandon his boxing career even if elected as congressman in the first district of South Cotabato in the coming May 14 elections.
Pacquiao, the 28-year-old knockout artist, made the clarification yesterday amid reports that he’ll give up boxing if he wins in his bid for a Congressional seat.
Pacquiao, through his business manager Eric Pineda, said there’s no such law that would prohibit him from fighting in the ring and at the same time occupy a government position.
“Wala naman batas na ganoon (There’s no such law). Kaya kung papalarin ako sa eleksiyon, magpapatuloy ako sa boxing (So if I win in the election, I will continue to fight),” Pacquiao was quoted as saying.
“Hindi ko tatalikuran ang boxing dahil dito ako nakilala (I will not turn my back on boxing because this is where I was known),” added Pacquiao who is now in Gen. Santos City.
Last Monday, the flamboyant boxer officially announced his bid for a Congressional seat, and said he liked his chances against incumbent Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio.
“I like my chances,” said Pacquiao who, nonetheless, is expected to face a very strong challenge in the elections which is scheduled exactly a month after his scheduled fight against Mexico’s Jorge Solis.
Last July, it was reported that Pacquiao would be the running mate of Manila mayoralty bet Ali Atienza, whose father, Lito, the incumbent mayor, is one of the biggest supporters of the boxer.
Even as he decided not to run in Manila, Pacquiao has continued to support the bid of Atienza, attending the latter’s proclamation rally last January and joining the Liberal Party.
Pacquiao fights Solis on April 14 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
