Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao punched his way into the Senate, garnering over 15 million votes to take the fifth place among the 12 slots in the Senatorial race in the May 9th elections in the Philippines.
No proclamation of winners yet, but Pacquaio made a sacred vow that "he won't let the people who voted him into office down" when he assumes office.
He is distancing himself from some traditional politicians, saying he did not enter politics to enrich himself or will politics be his bread and butter.
"The poor people and the needy are the ones I will prioritize in extending help," the 37-year old former congressman of Sarangani Province in Southern Mindanao said, adding he will prove to his supporters that they have made the right choice and that their votes won't go to waste.
While admitting he does not have the educational attainment for a senator, Pacquaio said his clean intentions and the desire to alleviate poverty is his enabling reason for an effective lawmaker.
He said free education, better life of the teachers and farmers, and improving the country's sports programs would be his focus in his six years in office.
Pacquiao, the first boxer to ever hold eight division titles that earned him the tag as pound for pound king, retired from boxing following his victory over Tim Bradley in Las Vegas last month to focus on his new role as public servant.
But the Philippines' national Olympic committee is working to get Pacquiao's nod to fight at the Rio Olympics.
His boxing trainer, Freddie Roach, on the other hand, said he is not also ruling out a rematch between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. saying, it is very difficult to finish a career where you are at your best simply because this sport draws you back in.
