Pacquiao to run for Congress

It’s final. Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao declared last night his candidacy for congressman of General Santos City-South Cotabato in the May 14 elections.

Pacquiao disclosed he was persuaded by local officials of his hometown of General Santos to run as
representative of their congressional district "to serve as their bridge to the national government," for being identified with the administration of President Arroyo. Pacquiao is a bosom buddy of the President’s eldest son, Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo.

"I want to run for Congress where I can best help our district," Pacquiao said in Tagalog.

"Tatakbo ako sa Kongreso kasi puro away na lang ng away. Gusto ng tao katahimikan at tulong ng national government (I will run because there is so much fighting between sectors. What the people want is peace and the help of the national government.)," he stressed.

But unlike his boxing bouts where he squares off with fellow featherweight fighters, Pacquiao is now pitted against opposition stalwart re-electionist Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, a member of the pro-opposition bloc of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and the daughter of former representative Lou Antonino and former General Santos City mayor Edelbert Antonino.

Pacquiao, 28, announced over radio dzBB that he will file his certificate of candidacy at the Commission on Elections before March 29, the deadline for the filing of COCs of local candidates.

He said his platform of government would be to promote jobs, education, and to provide medicine for poor people.

Only last Friday, Pacquiao was sworn in as a member of the Liberal Party (LP) wing of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.

Pacquiao’s membership in the LP Atienza wing was questioned by LP leaders belonging to the bloc of Sen. Franklin Drilon, citing there is a pending petition at the Supreme Court (SC) over the party’s leadership row. The SC en banc will hear today the oral arguments on the LP leadership squabble between Drilon and Atienza.

Pacquiao reassured boxing fans he would not neglect his preparations for his upcoming fight on April 14 in San Antonio, Texas against Mexico’s Jorge Solis.

"At lalo kong pagbubutihan ang pagbo-boxing ko at ipakikita ko kaya ko (I will do even better in my boxing to show that I can do it)," he vowed.

It took a long time for Pacquiao to decide on his political plans, which first broke out in July last year when he was rumored to be the running mate of Mayor Atienza’s son Ali who will run for Manila mayor since his father is now serving his third and last term.

"This is my final decision. I’m running for Congress," said Pacquiao.

"There are too many poor people. They can rest assured that I will be there for them." - With Abac Cordero