Party-list group tells Pacquiao to keep away from politics

MANILA, Philippines – With talks rife on Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao’s new interest in running for public office in 2010, a militant party-list group on Tuesday advised the boxing icon to steer clear of politics. Radio dzBB’s Mao dela Cruz reported that Anakpawis said Pacquiao should instead focus on his turf - boxing. The militant party-list group said Pacquiao should also concentrate his efforts in putting up a training center for boxing for children. The group echoed the sentiments of Pacquiao’s patron, Environment Secretary Jose Atienza Jr, who said it is better at this time for Pacquiao to concentrate on boxing since he is at the peak of his sporting career. Atienza said there will always be a time for everything and the situation will demand for it. But he said the present time – where some politicians have expressed interest in "recruiting" him to their team in running in 2010 – is not the perfect time. On Monday, Quezon City Representative Mary Ann Susano said Pacquiao could make a run for a congressional seat in Quezon City’s second district in 2010. The lawmaker said a group of people composed of “businessmen and religious leaders" asked Pacquiao if he is interested in the post. Susano told radio dzBB on Tuesday that there is a 70 percent chance that Pacquiao will seek the congressional seat in Quezon City’s second district – the largest district in the country according to Susano. In 2007, Pacquiao bucked the advice of his patrons and advisers and ran for a congressional seat for the first district of South Cotabato, losing badly to Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio. - GMANews.TV