Politics can wait - Pacquiao

Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao would rather talk about his immediate plans to secure victory in his next bout even as he keeps his options open for another run at politics in the May 2010 elections.

“I think this is not the right time to talk about politics because there is no election yet. What we need right now is to focus on how we can help our government,” Pacquiao told The STAR. “There is a right time to discuss that matter.”

This was how Pacquiao responded to persistent offers for him to run for Congress anew, either in the second district of Quezon City or in South Cotabato where he lost last year.

Pressed if he would run again if there would be a clamor from his constituents, Pacquiao chuckled and said, “I don’t need to talk about politics right now because there is no election yet.”

In a recent interview with Reader’s Digest magazine, Pacquiao said that he still wants to become a congressman.

“I want to be a congressman. (The Filipino people) idolize me in boxing. I want them to idolize me in terms of public service. (I believe in) social accountability. I can change the system. I’m not like some politicians who can be corrupt. I have money and I am satisfied with what I have earned from bloody work like boxing. What I want to do is bring government money back to the poor people,” he told Reader’s Digest.

Pacquiao took time out from his busy schedule for a brief interview with The STAR, which was arranged by Hotel Sofitel where he proceeded to rest at the end of his day-long “hero’s welcome” parade around Metro Manila last Thursday.

He was treated to an overnight stay at the $3,000-a-night presidential suite at the Hotel Sofitel in Pasay City.

Now dubbed as the world’s best pound-for-pound boxer following his rout of Mexican-American boxer Oscar de la Hoya, Pacquiao has so far successfully dodged pro-administration ranks trying to convince him to make a return bout in Philippine politics.

Pacquiao is a card-bearing member of President Arroyo’s Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) party under whose banner he ran but lost his first congressional bid in the May 2007 elections.

Outgoing Quezon City Rep. Annie Susano from the pro-administration Lakas-CMD has publicly endorsed Pacquiao as a candidate for her congressional seat in the city’s second district while she plans to run for higher office in the next election.

“Kaya ayaw kong pag-usapan ang politics ngayon kasi hindi naman eleksyon bukas, hindi naman eleksyon sa makalawa. Siguro ang kailangan natin ay paano makatulong (I don’t want to talk aout politics because there’s no election tomorrow or the day after. What we need now is help) to unite the Filipino people, to support our government paano umunlad sa sarili natin at ating bansa (so that our people and country will progress),” he explained.

Pacquiao flew yesterday with his three children to his hometown of General Santos City where he would celebrate his 30th birthday on Dec. 17.

The boxer’s political mentor Environment Secretary Lito Atienza said his ward is preoccupied with his flourishing boxing career.

“There is no talk of politics yet for Manny and he agrees with me it’s all boxing for him at this time,” Atienza said.

Atienza said Pacquiao had learned his lesson when the boxing champ did not heed his advice not to seek public office and ran against a rival who comes from a clan of traditional politicians. Pacquiao lost to re-electionist Rep. Darlene Antonino of the first district of South Cotabato in May 2007.

Atienza pointed out though Pacquiao should have enough time to decide about his political plans by early 2010.

But for now, Pacquiao is psyching himself up for yet another prizefight being arranged possibly in May next year against British fighter Ricky Hatton.

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, expressed preference for his ward to fight Hatton next than to mix it up with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“Kahit sino sa akin humamon (whoever challenges me), I’m willing to fight them. Basta magkasundo lang sa negosasyon (as long as we agree on the negotiations),” Pacquiao said.

“I’m always at my peak in my career. In all my fights, I’m always trying my best to give a good fight,” he cited.

Pacquiao was visibly pleased with reports that he has joined the ranks of the pay-per-view multi-millionaire fighters. He broke the one million pay-per-view barrier for the first time in his Dream Match against De la Hoya in Las Vegas last Saturday.

“I’m very happy I gave another honor to our country. And I’m very happy that I make them happy even if there is crisis. But if you see all the people watching my fight, they look no problem in their lives (sic),” he said.