Sarangani representative and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has hinted that he will run for Philippine president after boxing retirement.
According to ABS-CBN News, Pacquiao confirmed with international news organization Agence France Presse that he mulled seeking presidency “when he finally hangs up his gloves.”
“When I started boxing, of course I was planning, you know, and thinking about getting to become a champion. So when I enter politics it’s the same thing,” the former eight-division world champ reportedly said. “But, you know, it’s far away. It’s God’s will.”
Malacañang reacted to Pacquiao’s plan. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda reportedly said the 34-year-old boxer is free to run, but has to meet the minimum age requirement to qualify as presidential candidate.
A Filipino citizen must be at least 40 years old in order to serve as president, as mandated under Article 7, Section 2 of the Philippine Constitution. Pacquiao was born on December 17, 1978 and will be 43 years old during the national elections in 2022.
“Kung sa damdamin ni Ginoong Pacquiao e karapat-dapat siyang tumakbo, nasa kanya po ‘yun. Kung gusto niyang sumabak sa pagkapangulo, nasa kanya po ‘yun,” Lacierda said during a press briefing. “We cannot stop anyone from wanting to fulfill their ambition.”
Meanwhile, house speaker Sonny Belmonte advised the fighting congressman to run for senator first before joining a presidential race.
Manny Pacquiao plans of running for president one day. But, before everything else, he needs to concentrate on training to prepare for his bout with Mexican-American boxer Brandon Rios at the Venetian Resort Hotel in Macau, China on November 24.
According to ABS-CBN News, Pacquiao confirmed with international news organization Agence France Presse that he mulled seeking presidency “when he finally hangs up his gloves.”
“When I started boxing, of course I was planning, you know, and thinking about getting to become a champion. So when I enter politics it’s the same thing,” the former eight-division world champ reportedly said. “But, you know, it’s far away. It’s God’s will.”
Malacañang reacted to Pacquiao’s plan. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda reportedly said the 34-year-old boxer is free to run, but has to meet the minimum age requirement to qualify as presidential candidate.
A Filipino citizen must be at least 40 years old in order to serve as president, as mandated under Article 7, Section 2 of the Philippine Constitution. Pacquiao was born on December 17, 1978 and will be 43 years old during the national elections in 2022.
“Kung sa damdamin ni Ginoong Pacquiao e karapat-dapat siyang tumakbo, nasa kanya po ‘yun. Kung gusto niyang sumabak sa pagkapangulo, nasa kanya po ‘yun,” Lacierda said during a press briefing. “We cannot stop anyone from wanting to fulfill their ambition.”
Meanwhile, house speaker Sonny Belmonte advised the fighting congressman to run for senator first before joining a presidential race.
Manny Pacquiao plans of running for president one day. But, before everything else, he needs to concentrate on training to prepare for his bout with Mexican-American boxer Brandon Rios at the Venetian Resort Hotel in Macau, China on November 24.