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COTABATO CITY — Boxing pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao's political ambition has been given a boost by former Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines president Archbishop Orlando Quevedo.
Pacquiao's announcement of his intention to run for the congressional seat representing Sarangani province next year drew widespread criticism from followers who felt he should focus on boxing and steer clear of politics.
But in an interview with the Inquirer on Friday, the archbishop of Cotabato said Pacquiao was worthy of the people's support and should be given a chance. In fact, Quevedo feels he should run for national office.
"Let him prove his worth and pray that he will live up to it," Quevedo said, adding Pacquiao "is worth supporting."
"He is a prayerful man and I believe he's God-fearing, the kind of trait that our leaders need," added Quevedo, considered one of the most influential figures in Mindanao.
Quevedo said he believed, however, that Pacquiao could be of more help to more people if he ran for a national office.
"This is my unsolicited advice for Manny Pacquiao. Personally, it would be best for him to seek a national elective position (or run) under a partylist group, since his popularity is far and wide, instead of confining himself only to Sarangani voters," Quevedo said.
Quevedo reasoned out that Pacquiao's worldwide popularity would be obscured if he limited himself to a local elective post.
The southpaw's camp said Pacquaio has been contemplating on either running for governor or congressman.
"Definitely, he is running and preparing for it," said Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez.
Quevedo said he admired Pacquiao "for bringing fame and glory to the Philippines through clean and honest demolition of Mexican and other foreign foes in huge ring matches."
Pacquiao's nature of being a prayerful man, as shown in all of his televised ring bouts, has made him a punching icon worth emulation, Quevedo said.
He asked Filipinos to continue praying for Pacquiao's good health so he can bring home more boxing laurels to the country and its people.
Pacquiao will face Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto in November.
Pacquiao's announcement of his intention to run for the congressional seat representing Sarangani province next year drew widespread criticism from followers who felt he should focus on boxing and steer clear of politics.
But in an interview with the Inquirer on Friday, the archbishop of Cotabato said Pacquiao was worthy of the people's support and should be given a chance. In fact, Quevedo feels he should run for national office.
"Let him prove his worth and pray that he will live up to it," Quevedo said, adding Pacquiao "is worth supporting."
"He is a prayerful man and I believe he's God-fearing, the kind of trait that our leaders need," added Quevedo, considered one of the most influential figures in Mindanao.
Quevedo said he believed, however, that Pacquiao could be of more help to more people if he ran for a national office.
"This is my unsolicited advice for Manny Pacquiao. Personally, it would be best for him to seek a national elective position (or run) under a partylist group, since his popularity is far and wide, instead of confining himself only to Sarangani voters," Quevedo said.
Quevedo reasoned out that Pacquiao's worldwide popularity would be obscured if he limited himself to a local elective post.
The southpaw's camp said Pacquaio has been contemplating on either running for governor or congressman.
"Definitely, he is running and preparing for it," said Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez.
Quevedo said he admired Pacquiao "for bringing fame and glory to the Philippines through clean and honest demolition of Mexican and other foreign foes in huge ring matches."
Pacquiao's nature of being a prayerful man, as shown in all of his televised ring bouts, has made him a punching icon worth emulation, Quevedo said.
He asked Filipinos to continue praying for Pacquiao's good health so he can bring home more boxing laurels to the country and its people.
Pacquiao will face Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto in November.
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