Manny Pacquiao, the World Welterweight Boxing Champion has decided to contest for a seat in the Philippines' Congress. He is gaining support by the day and has named his political party, the People’s Champ Movement.
The man is considered an idol in his home country and is an icon throughout the world, not just for his boxing skills but also because of the story behind his career. He took up boxing after working as a laborer and a baker. Since boxing came into his life, there had been no turning back for him. However, he is now asking his fans to vote for him in the upcoming elections in his home country on May 10.
In a speech to his fans, he explained, “I don’t want to be just your boxing idol. I also want be your idol in public service.”
This will not be the first time that a celebrity or former athlete will win a seat in the Philippines' Congress. For nearly two decades, Philippines have repeatedly chosen many athletes who have successfully come to power. According to political pundits, the political situation has improved and unlike before, the country has changed itself along. The domination of few families who used to hold power in the past have been sent back home.
There has been criticism on the subject too. For instance, the Philippine movie star Joseph Estrada had won the presidency in 1998. However, he was forced out when he was charged with corruption allegations. His term abruptly ended in 2001.
Manny Pacquiao, who is the world’s best pound-for-pound boxer and is one of the richest men in Philippines, also ran for the Congressional race in 2007. He lost back then. However, the 31-year-old is trying his luck once again and this time round, he is facing an opponent from a rich political background.
Pacquiao, who is famously known as Pacman amongst his fans is facing a tougher competition that last time round. Pacquiao holds seven world-boxing titles and has in total won about $12 million. He also defeated Oscar De La Hoya in 2008 and Ricky Hatton in 2009 and made $30 million in the process. He is ranked amongst the wealthiest athletes of the world. Such is his popularity that he endorses brands including Nike.
In a statement, he told his fans, “I could just sit back and relax and not have anything to do with politics. I could just travel around and enjoy my life with my family. But I came from a very poor family, and I cannot turn my back on the poor.”
The star spent his early years in poverty and admits he slept in the street and barely had enough to eat. He had to leave school to make money and got his high school equivalency test. The champion told that he knew the state of the countries poor, which was why he knew how to solve their problems.
He also said, “The reason why so many people are poor is that politicians think of nothing except how to recover the money they spent during the elections.”
About his future in sports, he said that his upcoming fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. is being negotiated. Quite recently, there was a disagreement on drug testing between the two. It is unclear when the fight will take place. There is news that he will possibly retire from boxing if he is chosen as a government representative in the Philippines government. One thing for sure that his mother (Dionysa) surely doesn’t want him to continue as he said, “We haven’t talked about that … maybe after the election,” and then added jokingly, “Mommy D. will decide that.”
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