Pacquiao for governor in 2010?

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Philippine boxing icon Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao said there is a big possibility that he will run for governor of South Cotabato in 2010. "Even if I lost in the last elections, the people saw how I was able to help them and bring improvements in my province using my own money. How much more if I’m in the government?", he said during his visit here on Thursday. He lamented that some politicians are not sincere in helping the people. If elected, he said he would not steal from the government and the people. "I am now happy with the financial blessings God has given me. I have already acquired fame and fortune and almost everything I need so all I’m asking Him is to use me to help others especially those who are less fortunate because that is where I came from," he said. Mr. Pacquiao donated a total of P3 million for the typhoon victims in Western Visayas, broken down as follows: P1 million for Bacolod, P1.5 million for Iloilo and P500,000 for Aklan. Thousands of Bacoleños lined the streets to welcome the boxing champ, who went around the city in a four-hour motorcade. Secretary to the Mayor Goldwyn Nifras read Executive Order 27, which conferred to Mr. Pacquiao the title "Bugal sang Bacolod (Pride of Bacolod)." — C.G. Samillano, BusinessWorld