Pacquiao willing to Quit boxing if Elected in May!

Pacquiao willing to quit ring if elected in May By Aquiles Zonio PDI Mindanao Bureau Mindanao Bureau Posted date: February 14, 2007 GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines -- World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao said he would retire from boxing if he wins in the coming elections. "If the law says so, then I am ready to leave boxing if I win and just focus on public service," Pacquiao told reporters. The Filipino ring sensation declared he was eyeing South Cotabato’s first congressional district seat and not the mayoralty post here. The first congressional district is composed of General Santos City and the towns of Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan. The incumbent representative for that district is Darlene Antonino-Custodio, an opposition lawmaker and one of the signatories of the impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. "They want me to run for Congress to serve as a bridge in bringing about development in the first district," Pacquiao said. Pacquiao was first reported to be running for mayoralty post under the Lakas-Kampi ticket but changed his mind and declared he would be running for Congress under the banner of Liberal Party wing under Manila Mayor Lito Atienza. Pacquiao said he joined Atienza's Liberal Party to erase the issue that he was instigated by the Malacañang to run. He said it was his personal decision to run. He said he will file his candidacy on the last day of filing of certificates of candidacy. An online survey conducted by Pacquiao's website showed that 91 percent of his fans were opposed to his plan to join politics. Only 3.2 percent said yes, while 5.8 percent said "I don't care." South Cotabato Governor Daisy Fuentes, also of the opposition, criticized the administration party for nominating an "incompetent" candidate to run for Congress in her province's first congressional district. Fuentes advised Pacquiao to think it over, adding that "boxing is far different from politics." "People can't blame Pacman because he was just instigated by the ruling party which wanted to reduce the number of opposition lawmakers in Congress," Fuentes said. "I doubt if Manny can participate in debates on issues of national interest." Then, the governor asked: "Manny, kaya mo ba? (can you handle it?)"