Pacquiao in no rush to file candidacy for congressman

Like his fight against Miguel Cotto, Manny Pacquiao, the congressman-wannabe, will not rush for a knockout and instead patiently wait for the proper timing to do his thing. In a press conference upon arriving from Los Angeles Friday, Pacquiao said he's in no hurry to file his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the congressional race in the 2010 elections, explaining he still has until December 1 to do so anyway. "One of these days, hanggang Dec. 1 pa naman ang filing so between that. Wala pang fixed na araw (I will file my COC one of these days. The deadline is December 1, so I'll file it before that date. There is no fixed date for filing my COC)," he said. The reigning pound-for-pound king arrived to a hero’s welcome Friday, the same day the Commission on Elections (Comelec) started accepting COCs for the 2010 elections. Pacquiao, who will run for Sarangani congressman, was slated to spend the day with a motorcade, a government-sponsored hero's welcome, and a concert. Meanwhile, Pacquiao declined to comment on speculations that he might violate the Election Code with the showing of his movie "Wapakman" this December. The Comelec has advised candidates against premature campaigning between the time they file their COCs and the start of the campaign period. The campaign period for local posts, including Congress, will start 45 days before Election Day. "Mahirap mag-comment diyan. Siguro ang attorney ko si Atty. (Romulo) Macalintal ang magsalita about that. Pag-usapan muna natin ang boxing napanalunan natin last Saturday, karangalan ng mga Pilipino yan (It is hard to comment on that. I'll let my lawyer Romulo Macalintal talk about that. Let's just talk about boxing, my victory was an honor for all Filipinos)," Pacquiao said. In an interview on GMA 7's early morning television program "Unang Hirit," he said he will announce later the exact date of his filing of his COC. He said his immediate plans for now are to bond with his family and go on a vacation. "I-announce namin pag may exact date kami sa pag-file ng COC. Bonding muna with family (I will announce the exact date of filing my COC. For now I want to bond with my family)," he said. - GMANews.TV