Atienza to Pacquiao: Stay away from politics

MANILA, Philippines - No less than Manny Pacquiao's mentor and father figure, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, has advised the five-time boxing champion to stay away from politics. In a report aired over QTV's "News of Q," Atienza said Pacquiao would be better off concentrating on his boxing career than politics. "There's a time for everything. Now is the time to give all his time [and] effort to boxing... where he is the champion of the world," the former Manila mayor said. Pacquiao, before his victorious bout against England's Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas last May 3, had openly expressed his intentions to run as congressman for Sarangani province. His party, the People's Champ Movement (PCM), had recently been accredited by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Pacquiao in 2007 ran for Congress in General Santos City but lost to Darlene Antonino-Custodio. Atienza said he is confident Pacquiao would listen to his advice. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV