MANILA, Philippines -  After successfully defending his World Boxing Organization welterweight belt, boxer Manny Pacquiao is expected to come home to an even tougher fight in the political ring as candidate for congressman and endorser of Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manny Villar.

Villar said Pacquiao's endorsement could add the much needed boost to his campaign that would propel him to the top of the presidential surveys ahead of the May 10 elections.

“Sure it will help,” Villar told reporters when asked how Pacquiao’s victory Sunday over Joshua Clottey would help his (Villar's) chances of winning the election.

Villar said Pacquiao’s victory shows the importance of perseverance in any fight. He said he identified with the boxer and TV host Willie Revillame who both rose from poverty because of perseverance and hard work.

"We all had nothing in the past. Now that we have accomplished something, we just want to give back to the poor. One who forgets his past will not reach his destination," he said in a statement.

Pacquiao, a former stalwart of President Arroyo's Lakas-Kampi-CMD party, jumped ship to join Villar's NP ticket for Congress in the lone district of Sarangani.

A Malacañang official, meanwhile, said Pacquiao's victory should be seen as the triumph of all Filipinos and not just one political party.

In a statement, deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar downplayed the Filipino boxer's decision to be identified with the opposition. "We trust that Manny will continue to maintain himself above all else as a symbol of national unity and national pride," he said.

Olivar said any form of hero's welcome to the Pambansang Kamao should not be seen as a form of electioneering by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

He said Malacañang will discuss this week what type of award it will bestow on Pacquiao when he returns next week.

Comelec: Don't politicize Pacquiao parade

The Comelec, meanwhile, reminded candidates for national office not to use the outpouring of support for Pacquiao to their own advantage.

Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said the usual parade for Pacquiao should not be used by other candidates to push their own candidacies.

"Spare the event from politics," he said. "This is an event that belongs to the Filipino people. It cannot be claimed by any person, candidate, or political party."

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez added that there are proper avenues for candidates to promote themselves, such as campaign rallies. He said they may join the parade if they want, but must not post campaign posters and woo voters.

Local candidates, meanwhile, are exempted from the rule since the official campaign period for local bets has yet to start.

Jimenez said candidates who posted posters and streamers in venues where the Pacquiao-Clottey fight was shown are at risk of being disqualified. He added that candidates may only put their campaign materials in places provided for in the Fair Elections Act and during official political functions such as sorties.

Jimenez called on the public to report such cases by sending pictures of the posters, for example, so the Comelec can act accordingly. Once the violation is proven, the candidate will be disqualified and imprisoned from 1 to 6 years, since he or she committed an election offense. -- with a report from Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News