Manny Pacquiao’s imminent victory as representative of Sarangani province’s lone legislative district was put on hold after election returns in three municipalities have yet to be received by the Provincial Board of Canvassers. The PBC, according to a Jay Taruc’s report in Saksi, said the slow transmission of ERs from the barangay to the municipal level stalled them. They also wanted to have all ERs from the seven municipalities before they begin the canvassing of votes. As of 11 p.m. Tuesday night, the PBC are still waiting for the ERs in the municipalities of Kiamba, Malungon and Glan while they already have the ERs in Maasim, Maitum, Malapatan and Alabel towns. The PBC, which will release the official results and declare the winners, expects to start canvassing early Wednesday morning. Based on GMA’s partial unofficial tally, Pacquiao, as of 1:20 a.m. on Wednesday, enjoys a 54,109 lead over Roy Chiongbian with 87.75 percent of the ERs already tabulated. The Filipino boxing icon, who said that he is confident of winning in his second attempt inside the political ring, earned 108,422 votes compared to the 54,313 of Chiongbian. Only half of the 300,000 registered voters in Sarangani province cast ballots on Monday. Pacquiao, who monitored the canvassing of ballots at the precinct level at their house in Kiamba town, said he holds a big lead against Chiongbian. “I’m happy monitoring the counting of votes. I hold a huge lead against my rival. Almost all of the precincts showed that I’m leading by more than 60 percent," said the seven division world champion and reigning WBO welterweight titlist.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Despite supporting the presidential bid of Sen. Manny Villar, Pacquiao has expressed that he’ll support incoming Philippine President Noynoy Aquino’s administration. This was Pacquiao’s second attempt to run for public office. He failed in his first attempt in 2007 losing to then incumbent Darlene Antonino-Custodio in the first legislative district of South Cotabato. Pacquiao decided to run in the province of his wife Jinkee and faced Chiongbian, who is a member of a known political family in Sarangani. The reigning pound-for-pound king, according to Team Pacquiao chief of staff Jayke Joson, is already excited with his victory and could not wait to start working as Sarangani province’s representative in the Philippines’ 15th Congress. “Manny is excited and happy that his hard work during the campaign finally paid off. Now this could be the start of true change in Sarangani," Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach, in an AP report, also welcomed his prized ward’s latest win. "People see that he [Pacquiao] wants to [truly] help his country, and that’s why they’re voting. That’s why they support him." Top Rank Promotions president Bob Arum, who flew back to the US Tuesday afternoon, is also happy that Pacquiao finally achieved his dream. “This night is all about Manny [Pacquiao] accomplishing his dream, to help his people make a better life." Arum, who is busy looking for Pacquiao’s next opponent for a November 13 gig, said that he sees no conflict of schedule if ever the “People’s Champ" decides to continue fighting and serve as a congressman of Sarangani. “If he fights twice a year that’s four months since his training period before a fight is only two months. His other eight months are completely free," said the long-time boxing promoter who is eying Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Antonio Margarito as Pacquiaio's next opponent.
– GMANews.TV 
GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
