Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao will lead a hefty number of sports icons and personalities who are seeking political seats for the May 2022 elections.
As of this writing, the Manila Bulletin has compiled 21 athletes and former sportsmen vying for respective government posts.
Get to know their contributions in the Philippines sports scene before switching careers as politicians:
Presidency
Manny Pacquiao - the only eight-division world boxing champion (recently retired) and current senator
Vice Presidency
Vicente "Tito" Sotto III - former national team bowler, represented the Philippines in the Bowling World Cup, and current senator
Senatorial
Monsour del Rosario - former national team taekwondo jin, competed in the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, captured bronze medal in the 1986 Asian Games, and gold medals in the 1987 and 1989 Southeast Asian Games
Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri - current chairman Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) and incumbent senator - re-electionist
House
Richard Gomez - former fencer, captured gold medal in the 2005 SEA Games, president of the Philippine Fencing Association - 4th District of Leyte
Franz Pumaren - former PBA player, 9-time PBA champion, former coach in the UAAP and the PBA, current councilor – 3rd District of Quezon City
Mikee Romero - national team polo player, owner of NorthPort and current House Deputy Speaker – nominee of 1-Pacman party list
Michele Gumabao - volleyball player, currently plays for the Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL – nominee of Mothers For Change (MOCHA) party list
Mayoralty
Vergel Meneses - PBA great, 3-time PBA champion, and current mayor of Bulakan, Bulacan - re-electionist
Alvin Patrimonio - PBA legend, 4-time PBA MVP – Cainta, Rizal
Francis Zamora - former basketball player, UAAP Champions in 1998 and 1999, current San Juan City mayor - re-electionist
Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino - current president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and congressman of 8th District of Cavite – Tagaytay City
Vice Mayoralty
Binky Favis - former PBA coach - Parañaque City
Robert "Dodot" Jaworski Jr. - former PBA player, PBA champion, and son of PBA legend Robert Jaworski Sr. – Pasig City
Buboy Fernandez - former boxer, boxing trainer (of Manny Pacquiao), and current Polangui, Albay vice mayor – re-electionist
Councilor
Ervic Vijandre - former PBA D-League, MPBL, and baseball player and currently an actor – 1st District of San Juan City
James Yap - currently suiting up for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and 7-time PBA champion – 1st District of San Juan City
Paul Artadi - former PBA player, 3-time PBA All-Star, and current councilor of 1st District of San Juan City – re-electionist
Don Allado - former PBA player and 3-time PBA champion – 2nd District of San Juan City
Ato Agustin - former PBA player, 7-time PBA champion, and current assistant coach of the San Miguel Beermen – San Fernando City, Pampanga
Charo Soriano - one of the founders of the Beach Volleyball Republic and a current member of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) – Tuguegarao City