Eighth Division World boxing champion, Manny Pacquiao, is going to run for Senator in his home country of the Philippines for the upcoming May 2016 elections.
The sportsman made the announcement last week to mixed reactions. “Yes, I’m going to run for (a) Senate post this coming 2016 election. But as to which party, that’s still to be determined,” Pacquaio said.
He is being courted by the ruling Liberal party of incumbent President Aquino. Their standard bearer and candidate for the Presidency, Manuel Araneta Roxas III, is the grandson of a former President and a nephew of Jorge Araneta, who is worth around half a billion dollars.
When asked if Pacquiao would join his senate slate, Roxas said ‘It’s possible’.
Manny Pacquiao is already a Congressman, a member of the lower bicameral legislative body of his native nation. He represents the province of Sarangani, and his wife serves as its Vice-Governor.
In a country dominated by political families, Pacquiao seems keen to build his own dynasty. While his wife has chosen not to run again, his brother, who is already an elected Barangay chairman (Village Head), is planning on taking over his congressional seat.
Pacquiao has had one of the worst attendance records in the Philippine Congress, and it remains to be seen if he can do better in the upper chamber.
Author
