Pacquiao for President? Palace won't stop him

MANILA, Philippines - Not even Malacañang would stop boxing icon and Saranggani Province Rep. Manny Pacquiao from pursuing his ambition to be the country's president.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Pacquiao is qualified to run under the minimum requirements for the presidential candidacy.

"Kung sa damdamin ni Ginoong Pacquiao eh karapat-dapat siyang tumakbo, nasa kanya po 'yun. Kung gusto niyang sumabak sa pagkapangulo, nasa kaya po 'yun. We cannot stop anyone from wanting to fulfill their ambition," Lacierda said in an ambush interview with reporters also presented on ANC.

Reports said Pacquaio has thought of running for president. But for the 2016 presidential elections, the 34-year-old boxing icon will fall short of the Constitutional age requirement of 40 years old for a presidential candidate.

Pacquaio, a district representative of Saranggani province, first entered politics in 2007 when he ran and lost for congressman in General Santos City.

The eight-division champion is set to fight Brandon Rios in Macau on November 24.

The upcoming bout will serve as the comeback fight of the former pound-for-pound king, who suffered two consecutive losses including a devastating knockout from rival Juan Manuel Marquez.