Pacquiao now faces new arena - political rival

Manny Pacquiao may have knocked out Jorge Solis of Mexico but the boxing champion will now be facing a totally different arena, said South Cotabato Representative Darlene Custodio, whose post the sports icon is contesting in the May 14 elections. "So far, I can say I have many supporters for Congress. They believe I am their voice in our district and many believe General Santos and South Cotabato are part of opposition country," Custodio said in an interview Monday on dzXL radio. Pacquiao is running for Congress under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) after initially joining the Atienza wing of the Liberal Party (LP). Custodio made the statement even as there is jubilation throughout South Cotabato and General Santos, including in her own household, over Pacquiao's 8th round knockout victory over Solis in Texas on Sunday (Manila time). Custodio said they were "very happy" that Pacquiao won his bout with Solis but noted many residents had bet that Pacquiao would prevail as early as the sixth round. The incumbent lawmaker said the real test of Pacquiao's acceptability as an elected official will come when he actually starts campaigning. "We'll look at the results of the election. I've been in the campaign trail for quite a while but Manny is just coming home, people would want to hear what he will offer them by way of an election platform ... This will be a totally different arena," she said. -GMANews.TV