Manny to climb political ring?

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao was reportedly being urged to try his hand on local politics after talks made the rounds yesterday that he is going to run as vice mayor in Manila in next year’s elections.

There were also reports that he would retire next year.

Pacquiao, who was in General Santos, has neither confirmed nor denied that he’s joining the May 2007 elections although it was reported that he has filed a request for transfer of residency from Gen. Santos in Mindanao to Manila last July 5.

However, a report that came in from Gen. Santos City said Pacquiao had bared his intention to retire from boxing within the next two years. This report also fanned the one saying he was indeed running for election.

"Maybe after about two fights I will retire. I want to personally supervise my business ventures. It really makes a difference when one manages his own business," the report quoted Pacquiao as saying.

But people close to the Gen. Santos native downplayed the retirement yarn.

"We were with him the other day at the Orient Seas restaurant and he never mentioned anything about his retirement plans except for his training for his fight against Erik Morales," Redes Neri, one of Pacquiao’s assistant trainers, said in Filipino.

Romy Neri, liaison officer of the Pacman Warriors basketball team, also denied the report.

"I called him up and asked about the report but he replied, ‘negative yan,’", said Neri.

In his request for transfer of residency, Pacquiao said he’s been a resident of Manila the last two years despite the fact that he’s been staying in and out of the country to pursue his flourishing boxing career.

Pacquiao listed his residence in Manila as Unit 111, Building 2, Residencias de Manila at Paco, Barangay 832.

Pacquiao is an "adopted son" of Manila. Each time he fought big fights, whether he came out a winner or not, Pacquiao was paraded around the city and toasted like one of its own.

Under the law, a person can run for a local and elective position as long as he or she has been a resident of the said area for at least a year.

Reports said Pacquiao has agreed to be the running mate of Ali Atienza, the mayor’s son. The younger Atienza, the Presidential Adviser on Youth and Sports, is also chairman of the Manila Sports Council.

"No comment. The elections are still far away," said Ali.

The Atienzas and Pacquiao go a long way. In fact, the prominent family from Manila has been a supporter of the 27-year-old boxer even when he was still struggling to become a champion.

Aside from Atienza, also reported as a strong candidate as Manila Mayor is Senator Ping Lacson who himself has recently requested for a transfer of residency from Parañaque to Manila.

Pacquiao will be in Manila for the weekend. — With report from John Paul Jubelag