Filipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao looks set to become a congressman in the Philippines with early count reports suggesting he may even take the seat by a margin of up to 2-1.
Pacquiao’s near God-like status in the impoverished provinces of Mindanao looks to have proved enough for him to snatch the seat from Roy Chiongbian, a member of a local political dynasty which has ruled the region for generations.
Pacquiao has been campaigning among the local poor, most of whom survive on an income below $1 per day, and has pledged to drag them out of poverty.
Pacquiao’s team have blamed the Chiongbian family and others like it for ignoring destitution while they have enjoyed lavish lifestyles. His promoter Bob Arum likened them to “people who ruled over vast armies of serfsâ€, adding that they were “the reason why the Philippines, which should be economically, socially, one of the top, top countries in Asia is still a third-world country.â€
Pacquiao has secured 11,037 votes in the count so far against Chongbian’s 4,465, the chairman of the provincial board of canvassers has claimed.
It is unclear what an electoral victory for Pacquiao will mean for the possibility of a fight against Mayweather. However, he has stated that a fight with Mayweather would be his last before retiring.
Arum meanwhile has said that if the fight doesn’t go ahead it will be down to Mayweather rather than Pacquiao.
