Pacquiao’s confirmation comes days after heavyweight world champion challenger Tyson Fury revealed he wants to become the MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale.
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Boxer Manny Pacquiao waves to the crowd upon arrival with his family, including his wife, Jinkee, and youngest son, Israel, on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, at Ninoy Aquino global Airport at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines. “I am running for higher office”, he said during an address in his home province of Saranggani, which he represents in Congress.
His brother, Roel, is expected to run for congressman of Sarangani to replace him.
Pacquiao has yet to disclose under which party he will run, although he is political allies with Vice President Jejomar Binay under the United Nationalist Alliance.
“Yes, I’m going to run for (a) Senate post this coming 2016 election”.
But according to earlier reports, the Liberal Party is open to include Manny to their senatorial lineup should he aim for a senatorial post in 2016.
While still retaining his popularity among sports fans, Pacquiao has been harshly criticised for his performance in the House of Representatives where he has been listed among the legislators with the most absences.
But senators are elected nationally, and this could pose as a bigger challenge for Pacquiao.
Pacquiao has already been linked with the likes of Amir Khan and Lucas Matthysse when he returns to the ring following surgery to a shoulder injury he picked up in the run-up to his Mayweather showdown.
Pacquiao lost the richest prize fight in boxing history to American Floyd Mayweather last May.
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The reaction in social media to Pacquiao’s plans for the Senate was largely negative.
