Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 12) — Boxing champ turned Senator Manny Pacquiao can be a good future president of the Philippines, the Palace spokesperson said.
In an ambush interview, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that anybody, including the senator, can be a good president as long as they meet the requirements set in the Constitution.
“You must remember that housewife Cory Aquino became President. Anybody can be a good president until he sits in the office. Hindi natin alam (you’ll never know),” Panelo told reporters.
Under the 1987 Constitution, a Philippine President must be a natural-born citizen, registered voter, at least 40 years old, a resident of the Philippines, and able to read and write.
Pacquiao, who would be 43 years old by the 2022 elections, fits these qualifications.
During the birthday celebration of Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco, President Rodrigo Duterte reportedly told the Senator that he should carefully think about whether or not he should run for president in the future.
As for Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Panelo said that the President doesn’t want her to run for President.
“Kung siya ang masusunod, ayaw niya,” Panelo said.
[Translation: If he could get his way, he doesn’t want her to run.]
