MANILA, Philippines — It?s crystal clear. Fans want Manny Pacquiao to fight in the ring, not in the political arena.
Voting online, more than 91 percent of 15,305 respondents, as of 6 p.m. yesterday, said they do not want Pacquiao to pursue his bid for a congressional seat in South Cotabato.
Only four out of every one hundred (4.0 percent) agreed with the 2006 Fighter of the Year?s decision to pursue a strange calling while 4.7 percent said they do not care.
The question posted on the mannypacquiao.ph website was: ?Are you in favor of Manny Pacquiao entering politics??
It was posted shortly after Pacquiao announced that he intends to challenge incumbent Darlene Antonino-Custodio for the congressional seat in South Cotabato?s first district.
Although Pacquiao has said he is focusing on his fight against the unbeaten Jorge Solis of Mexico for the WBC international super featherweight title on April 14, his associates have been insinuated that he is bent on running.
This, despite the boos that Pacquaio reportedly drew from boxing fans when he watched the Battle of Cebu: ?Moment of Truth? fight card in Cebu City Saturday night.
Lawyer Franklin Gacal Jr., one of Pacquiao?s confidantes, bared that Pacquiao has not totally turned his back on seeking a congressional seat in the May 14 polls. The Comelec deadline for the filing of candidacy is on March 29.
?He (Pacquiao) has not closed his doors (on politics),? Gacal said. ?He is focused on his upcoming fight right now and he doesn?t want (his election plans) to distract him.?
Gacal said Pacquiao?s decision will likely hinged on the outcome of his bout with Solis.
Pacquiao is scheduled to leave for Los Angeles on Monday to continue his preparations against Solis, 27, who boasts 32 wins, 23 by knockout.
Before that, he he flies from General Santos City to Manila today as the promoter of tonight?s big ?Rambol at the Bay? at the Rajah Sulaiman Park along Roxas Boulevard. With reports from Salven Lagumbay, Contributor
