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Pacquiao balances sports, lawmaking duties


The Filipino boxing champion, Saranggani Rep. Emmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao, has been balancing his lawmaking duties with his training for his November 13 fight. Asked how he does it, the neophyte congressman also known as "Pacman," answered "time management." He has not yet missed a session in the three weeks since the opening day of Congress. He even recently delivered a privilege speech, wherein he laid out his plan for Sarangani. In an interview with House reporters, Pacquiao said he also has not missed his training for his November 13 fight, saying he trains three hours a day. Pacquiao is the first boxer in history to win nine world titles in seven different weight divisions. Forbes Magazine listed him as the one of the World’s 6th Highest Paid Athletes with a total annual income of $40 Million or P2 Billion Pesos. Tied with him on the sixth spot was the NBA player LeBron James and golfer Phil Mickelson. November 13 fight His promoter Bob Arum announced that Pacquiao's next fight would be on November 13 but it's not yet clear who he will be fighting against. “Wala pa naman, hindi pa na-finalize (None yet; it's not yet final)," Paquiao said. The boxing champ said he has not been limiting his food intake because he is trying to gain weight. "Kailangan nga kumain tayo nang kumain nang marami para ang timbang natin ay ma-maintain. Nagpapalaki tayo kasi ang timbang natin pag nag-eensayo tayo 145 lang so kailangan pang dagdagan. 150 ang kailangan, mga 148 (I have to keep eating a lot because I have to maintain my weight. I have to reach the training weight of 148 to 150 pounds and now I am only 145 pounds)," he said. He added: "Kain lang nang kain pag kailangan, pag nagte-training kasi ako hindi ako kumakain nang marami (I just have to keep eating because when I train, I don't eat a lot)." Pacquiao jogs at least an hour a day. Asked if he would train in the gym of the House, he said, "pwede rin" (that's possible). Pacquiao is a member of the committees on sports, aquaculture and millenium development goal. Pacquiao said he might even sleep in his House office once the committee hearings begin. These hearings usually start at 9:30 a.m. "E di dito ako matutulog sa opisina para jogging na ako dyan bago magsession or hearing. Anlaki naman dito. Malaki naman ang jogging-an dito (I will sleep in my office so that I can jog before hearings or sessions. This is a big place anyway. The jogging area is also expansive)," he said. Floyd Mayweather Jr. Pacquiao refused to discuss his aborted fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. “Ayaw ko nang pag-usapan ‘yung Mayweather. Iba na lang ang pag-usapan kasi baka isipan niya na easy to get tayo, baka isipin niya easy boy tayo (I don't want to talk about Mayweather. Let's just talk about other things because he might think I'm easy to get; he might think I'm an easy boy)." Reports have it that Pacquiao may face Antonio Margarito on November 13. Aside from Margarito and Mayweather, Mexican Juan Migul Marquez is also eyeing another bout with Pacquiao after beating American boxer Juan Diaz. Krista Ranillo On another matter, Pacquiao congratulated his movie co-star and rumored ex-girlfiend Krista Ranillo on her wedding. "Congratulations sa kanya. Sana masaya siya palagi (Congratulations to her. I hope she will always be happy)," he said upon the prodding of the media. — VVP, GMANews.TV

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