Manila: On the brink of “unannounced” retirement from the ring, internationally renowned Philippine boxer Manny Pacquiao promised to be a better lawmaker “for the poor” in the Senate in 2016, despite receiving criticism about his poor attendance as a congressman at the House of Representatives.
Hoping to win a senate seat soon following a boxing match next year ahead of the May 2016 polls, Pacquiao told Gulf News, “I thought hard and prayed for a long time before announcing my plan to run as a senator. I know the responsibility it entails — one of which is to give up other activities and focus on making laws for the poor.”
When asked when he would completely shed his desire for throwing punches and being in the ring, Pacquiao said, “I’ll formally announce that later.”
As a future senator, he promised “not to be absent,” and to focus only on “my family and making laws for the poor, including passing a bill to lower taxes”.
“I’ve slept on the pavement. I’ve been a garbage collector, a street vendor. My experience of poverty makes me understand the pain and the needs of poor people. I feel for the poor,” Pacquiao said, adding, “I will also pass a bill to increase the salaries of government workers.”
When asked to identify his mentor who urged him to aim for the third highest ladder of elected posts in his country, Pacquiao said, “I always pray to God for guidance. I am happy with His reply.”
He refused to disclose if he is joining the ruling Liberal Party of President Benigno Aquino or the opposition UNA of Vice-President Jejomar Binay who is running as president in 2016.
Pacquiao ranked middle among 12 possible winning senators in 2016, a poll said. But he has been criticised about his political ambition because of his lacklustre performance and absences as a congressman representing Saranggani, his southern Philippine hometown since 2010.
Making up for his absences at the lower house of Congress, Pacquiao bragged of “delivering services to poor constituents in Saranggani”.
Close associates said the Senate will be a perfect platform for the poor-turn rich boxer whose other ambition includes being vice-president and, later, president of his country.
As in the ring, Pacquiao has slowly and surely risen as the world’s boxing champion in eight weight divisions.
Although he has hinted of seeking a rematch next year with welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather after losing a bout with him last May, Pacquiao said, “I could also leave the ring. It depends.” Fans were already disappointed when Mayweather announced earlier he was retiring from the ring.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum scheduled a Pacquiao bout with former world champion Amir Khan next year — as soon as Pacquiao’s torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder (which he endured while fighting Mayweather) was announced healed.
After more than 20 years, the iconic Pacquiao is now one of the world’s highest paid athletes. He would kneel and make the sign of the cross, and later, hold Bible reading sessions and hymnal chanting before bouts which he described as his “fight for the Philippines” and, in the early part of his career, a “debacle against poverty”.
He was dirt poor and 16 years old when he won his first professional bout before trailblazing a sterling ring performance that includes 57 victories, 38 knockouts, and two draws, making him a rich product endorser.
The ever morphing Pacquiao has branched to TV shows, movie production, song recording, and playing for Mahindra in the league of the Philippine Basketball Association.
