Manny Pacquiao to fight election

Philippine boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has submitted his candidacy for the 2010 elections to congress. He claimed his fifth world boxing title in five different weight classes after defeating Miguel Cotto last month to win the WBO's welterweight crown. This will be his second attempt to gain political office. He was defeated in the congressional election of 2007. Mr Pacquiao filed his candidacy in Alabel town in the southern province of Sarangani on Mindanao island. He arrived at the local election office at the head of a convoy of 20 vehicles, cheered on by around 100 supporters. The boxer submitted his nomination as a candidate of his own People's Champ Movement (PCM). He told reporters: "I want only good things for Sarangani. "I will work for children, for the health of our countrymen and for their livelihood." President Gloria Arroyo - whose term ends in June next year - is also going to try to continue in politics by contesting a congressional seat. She filed her candidacy in her hometown of Lubao, north of Manila, saying: "I realised I am not ready to step down completely from public service." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8388919.stm