Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Manny Pacquiao is taking his loss in the recent May 12 mid-term elections in stride, saying he'll keep serving the country.

In a Facebook post on Thursday morning, May 15, Pacquiao--in a very positive tone--thanked those who supported him in his campaign to return to the upper chamber. 

The boxing icon-turned-politician also gave a short message to those who didn't vote for him last Monday.

"Mula sa aking puso, maraming salamat. Hindi man ako nagtagumpay sa pagtakbo sa Senado, lubos ang aking pasasalamat sa bawat boto, dasal, at suporta (From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Although I did not succeed in my bid for the Senate, I am deeply grateful for every vote, prayer, and show of support)," wrote Pacquiao.

"Sa lahat ng bumoto at naniwala, salamat sa inyong pagmamahal. Sa lahat ng hindi pumili sa akin, salamat pa rin dahil bahagi rin kayo ng prosesong nagpapalakas sa ating demokrasya," he said.

(To everyone who voted and believed in me, thank you for your love. To those who did not choose me, I still thank you, for you are part of the process that strengthens our democracy.)

"Tuloy ang laban. Tuloy ang serbisyo (The fight continues. The service continues)," added Pacquiao, who served as senator from 2016 to 2022.

Even during the campaign period, rumors were already rife that Pacquiao would return to the boxing ring in July for a welterweight title clash against Mexican Mario Barrios.

Pacquiao, 46, has a professional record of 62-8-2 (39 KOs). He last fought in 2021.