Davao City (CNN Philippines) — Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao declared on Monday (October 5) his intention to run for the Senate come 2016.
Pacquiao made the announcement during his State of the District Address amid a resounding applause from his constituents.
“I am formally announcing my candidacy for senator. I am running for higher office. Maybe it’s time, this will be the first time in our history that we’ll have a senator from Region 12,” said the two-termer lawmaker.
The 36-year old solon and world boxing champ did not say, though, which political party or coalition he would join for his senatorial bid — although he remained allied with the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomar Binay.
Related: Team Binay eyes Pacquiao, Isko Moreno in senatorial ticket
But many of his supporters and advisers were reportedly against Pacquiao running under UNA.
There were also talks that he would be supporting Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, if ever the mayor decides to run for president.
Related: Duterte feels pressure to seek presidency
As a member of the House of Representatives, Pacquiao had authored 15 bills and co-authored 27 others, mostly promoting social welfare and sports-related causes. This despite the fact that Pacquiao only attended four sessions of Congress in 2014, the fewest of any congressman.
