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Solons to Pacquiao: Forget politics, stay in the ring


MANILA, Philippines - Stay inside the boxing ring. In text messages, lawmakers on Monday said they'd rather see Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao bringing glory to the country from inside the boxing ring than see him battle it out in Philippine politics after Quezon City Rep. Mary Ann Susano said on Monday that Pacquiao is is considering running as congressman of Quezon City's second district in 2010. Quezon City 3rd district Rep. Matias Defensor Jr. said he'd rather see Pacquiao beat the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. "I will rather see him beat Mayweather and be the greatest boxer in the world. There are 238 representatives. Only one greatest (boxer)," said Defensor. Palawan Rep. Abraham Kahlil Mitra said Pacquiao should not enter politics yet as he has more to gain from boxing. "'Di na muna dapat pumasok sa pulitika si Pacman. Marami pang mga corona at honor ang maiuwi niya dito sa atin. Tuloy niya lang tulong sa mga nangangailangan tulad ng ginagawa niya ngayon (Pacman shouldn't enter politics yet. He still has a lot of crowns and honor to bring to the country. He should just continue what he is doing now, helping the poor)," said Mitra. Cibac partylist Rep. Joel Villanueva said it would be "an injustice" to take away Pacquiao from sports, but acknowledge his right to chose what to do. "I think it'll be a great injustice to take away Manny Pacquiao from the world of sports after he showed his ability to single-handedly bring us not just global honor but give hope, and inspiration, and pride to each Filipino. He is the greatest at what he does and I don't think anything is better," said Villanueva. "It's his right (to run for congressman), though," he added. Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza was more adamant in insisting that Pacquiao stay in sports, saying that entering politics is "the worse" thing the boxing champ can do. "If it's in 2010, that's the worse thing he can do. He should carefully plan his future fights which can last another few years so he can bring more glory to his country and family. The people of General Santos did him a grand favor by not electing him," said Daza, referring to Pacquiao's unsuccessful congressional bid in 2007 where he lost to South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio. "When Pacquiao retires, which should be past 2010, he should instead focus on sports development especially boxing so we can create a genuine grassroots for the sport and hopefully he can develop more 'Pacmen' in the future," added Daza. On Monday, Susano told reporters that Pacquiao was asked by a group of businessmen and religious leaders if he wanted to run for Susano's post in 2010. Susano said she was offered another post, which she did not disclose, adding that she and Pacquiao would make "a dream team." She said Pacquiao, who she said appeared receptive to the idea, will announce his final decision when he returns to the country Wednesday after beating boxing's Golden Boy, Oscar dela Hoya, in a match in Las Vegas on Sunday (Philippine time). - - GMANews.TV
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