Boxing icon and Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao said he has no decision yet on whether he would seek the presidency, vice presidency or quit politics.
Asked during a CNN Philippines interview from his Los Angeles (USA) residence on Friday, August 27, whether the Partido Demkratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) faction of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has reached out to him, Pacquiao flatly said he has not talked to anyone.
Pacquiao said any decision that he makes must be based on discussions with members of his family, and close friends who could advise him.
The Cusi faction of PDP-Laban has endorsed the tandem of Senator Christopher ‘’Bong’’ Go and President Duterte for the presidential and vice presidential race and is scheduled to formalize this during its convention on September 8.
Pacquiao, He was recently ousted as PDP-Laban president, belongs to the faction of Senator Koko Pimentel.
He said he is considering whether or not he seek the presidency, seek another Senate term or leave as a public servant.
Asked whether he is open to an alliance with any party, Pacquiao said Vice President Leni Robredo of Liberal Party (LP) is one person he would talk to when he returns to the country.
‘’I’m open on one condition: pareho ang goals namin (we have the same goals),’’ he pointed out.
Foremost is to put behind bars the corrupt followed by fixing the economy, jobs, housing where informal settlers would have houses in four to five years in Metro Manila, sustainable development, among others.
These were in his ‘’22-round private agenda,’’ Pacquiao added.
When asked if he would settle for a vice presidential post, Pacquiao said it is easy to make announcements but ‘’I have no vested interests.’’
Meanwhile, the 42-year ring warrior said he did not feel bad about social media trolls hitting him lately.
‘’Hindi ako galit,’’ he said, adding that only God can decide on their fate.
‘’I am fighter inside and outside the ring,’’ he added.
But Pacquiao admitted that he is not young anymore unlike this fighting form during his 20s.
‘’Wala muna boxing,’’ Pacquiao replied to a query whether there would be a Pacquiao-Yordeni Ugas rematch.
He said his focus is his "service and commitment to poor Filipinos".