Senator and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is “well-qualified” to run for a higher position, says his party-mate, Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel.
“We all know also very well that Senator Pacquiao is capable for running in another or a higher position. He is well-qualified naman,” reckoned Pimentel, a Deputy Speaker in the House of Representatives.
Pacquiao, 40, boxing’s only eight-division champion, has long been rumored to be targeting the Palace seat and could run for it once his fighting career is through.
Pimentel said President Rodrigo Duterte alluded to Pacquiao’s political plans when they were together Monday evening at the joint birthday celebration of Marinduque lone district Rep. Lord Allan Velasco and his wife Wen Velasco in San Juan City.
“(Duterte) mentioned in passing, ‘oh si Senator Pacquiao, may plano’ … Hindi tinuloy kung ano yung plano,” narrated Pimentel, who was also present at the birthday bash.
Pimentel, Pacquiao, and Velasco are all members of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). Duterte chairs the party.
“Nakita naman po natin na maganda naman ang takbo sa posisyon niya bilang senador and I can’t see any reason why he can’t aspire for a higher position,” Pimentel added of his fellow Mindanaoan, Pacquiao.
Asked if he felt Duterte was encouraging Pacquiao to run for a higher post, Pimentel said: “No, he just mentioned it.”
The Deputy Speaker also bared that during the birthday party chit-chat, President Duterte once again expressed his wish for his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, to stay away from the presidency during the birthday party chit-chat.
“He mentioned that, sinabi niya ayaw niyang patakbuhin. It was very clear. Ayaw niyang patakbuhin si Mayor Sara kasi sabi niya, the position of President ay mahirap.
“Naaawa siya kay Mayor Sara na patakbuhin kasi ayaw niya mangyari yung mga nangyayari sa kanya…So ayaw niyang mangyari na dumaan din sa ganung position ni Mayor Sara,” Pimentel said.
Congressman Velasco is a close friend of the lady mayor. (Ellson A. Quismorio)
