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?)"
If Pac wins the election then he should retire. Why risk your health when there's so much more money to make being a politician than being a boxer? Wise decision from Pac.
hes worked hard to get to the point hes at in his career, to be the fighter he is today ability wise and have the status hes got. why not have just a few more fights that can elevate him even further? his health is not in great risk and he just hit his prime, have 3-4 more fights, go down as an ATG and then retire. after all the work he put in to put himself in a position to be a true legend with just a few more fights it would be a shame to quit now.
Relax guys, he's not going to win the election.. The canidate he's going up against comes from a family that's run that region for decades.. And the filipino ppl don't want to see him become corrupt so they won't vote him in
Well you guys got your wish and wanted him to box two more years. Pacfans are satisfied. Now that 2010 is here, it's the Flomos who can't get enough of Pacman........I don't why crackheads are so into Pac not retiring. :D
i agree with you bro, as a pac fan i am already very satisfied of what pac has done i couldn't ask for more. I will support him for whatever decisions he want.
If Pac wins the election then he should retire. Why risk your health when there's so much more money to make being a politician than being a boxer? Wise decision from Pac.
Well, considering that Manny's other endeavors outside of boxing hasn't met with success, It's a safe assumption he ain't winning the elections again. Filipinos don't go to watch his movies nor concerts, it's pretty obvious they only want him in boxing. Now if he wins the elections, that would be a new low for the country.
The term politician is practically synonymous with evil crook in the Philippines.
That's what my fellow bikers from the south says man! Manny's on a rough ride with the Choingbians, a powerful political dynasty who are as wealthy as Manny i guess.
Yes man..Manny does'nt know shit about politics..he's a sure winner if he decided to run as a party list representative because he is famous and well loved all over the Philippines..However, it's a different ballgame when you're fighting it out one-on-one with a real politician who's been there since time immemorial..
Haha true that man! Don't forget ex-beauty queens, soap actresses, TV acnhors...
But If that was popular belief now in the Phils, Pacquiao should've won the first try he ran for congress, which he lost. Let's see this May2010
No, the masses love him too much to elect him and feed him to the leeches. They're doing him a favour. My wife is Filipina and she says she doesn't want Manny Pacquiao being exploited by politicians. The President is doing that now, she thinks. Using Manny for votes.
Smart. Give up something you're great at to do something you probably have no talent for.
It's just the way it is in the Philippines. I heard half the congress or senate are retired professional basketball players and moviestars.
I hope he doesn't run for office before he fights Mayweather.