Arum confident Manny will be a good senator

MANILA, Philippines - Bob Arum had often introduced Manny Pacquiao as the “social welfare system” of the Philippines, one who gives away half of his earnings to charity.

When Pacquiao ran for Congress in 2010, the boxing promoter flew to General Santos City to witness victory for the Filipino icon.

Pacquiao is running for senator in the 2016 Philippine elections.

The Top Rank chief said over the phone a few days ago that only one thing is certain.  

“He (Pacquiao) will be a good senator,” said Arum.

There’s no reason the 36-year-old boxing superstar, serving out his second term as congressman in Sarangani, cannot make it.

“It’s one of the reasons why he wants to devote himself completely to his duties as a senator – no more boxing, no more basketball,” Arum said.

“He’ll be a full-time senator,” he said.

The 83-year-old Harvard lawyer had been around politics and rubs elbows with some of the top politicians in the United States.

He worked as an attorney in the US Justice Department, and in the tax division of the US Attorney’s Office in New York until the mid-60s.

Arum said he’ll fly over for May’s elections but will restrict himself to being a supporter. If only he’s allowed, he’d serve as Pacquiao’s campaign manager.

“I can’t. I don’t want to violate the law. But I’ll definitely come over during the elections to give him moral support,” he said.

Arum’s unsolicited advice to Pacquiao heading to the elections?

“Just be Manny Pacquiao. And for him to explain what his dreams are for the people of the Philippines. And how he’s going to be an advocate for them,” he said.

“Don’t let any of these politicians change him into something that he’s not. Just be Manny Pacquiao,” Arum added.