Abalos' 'fatherly' advice to Pacquiao: Don't run

Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos on Tuesday came out with a 'fatherly advice' to would-be politician Manny Pacquiao, saying that the boxer should focus on his sport and forget about running for an elective position for now. In the same radio interview, he revealed that Pacquiao has residency problems having told the Comelec that he resides in three places. "Si Manny isa sa boksingerong sa Mandaluyong nagmula. Ang pangaral ko sa kanya bilang isang ama, ito munang profession mo bilang boxer asikasuhin mo (Manny started as a boxer in Mandaluyong where I was mayor. I am giving him a fatherly advice, to hone his craft in his present profession now)," Abalos said in an interview on dzXL radio. He said he "pitied" Pacquiao because of his announcements about his political plans. Pacquiao took his oath as a member of the Liberal Party's Atienza wing last Friday. On Monday, Pacquiao said he was pursuing a congressional seat in his native General Santos City. The decision came after he met with several local political leaders there. Abalos, however, noted that Pacquiao could have a problem with residency as he already claimed "under oath" that he resides in Mandaluyong, Manila and General Santos Cities. He said that at best, Pacquiao will have to consult his lawyers on his residency issue. He refused to comment further, saying the Comelec does not want to make it a big issue. Abalos said he already given Pacquiao the same advice - to stay in sports for now - during an earlier visit of the boxer to the Comelec. "Di ka tatagal dito, pinakamatagal kung ikaw 32-33 you have to retire, age of retirement ng boxer maaga yan. Ito muna sana harapin mo, saka tayo humarap ng ibang propesyon (You won't last in the boxing business long. At age 32 to 33 you'll have to retire. So you must make the most of it before moving on to other fields)," he recalled telling the champ. "Kung gusto mo maglingkod sa bayan sa pamamagitan ng pulitika siguro that will come after your retirement as a boxer (If you want to serve your country in politics, that will come after your retirement as a boxer)," he added. - GMANews.TV