It is up to the people to decide whether Philippine boxing champion Manny Pacquiao should be their representative, several congressmen said in response to the boxer's plan to run for Congress.

Pacquiao said in a recent interview that he is eyeing the Sarangani congressional seat. He ran in the 2007 congressional elections in South Cotabato, but lost to his boxing fan, incumbent Rep. Darlene Antonio Custodio.

“One or two more big fights and running for politics would be okay. Make the most of it while he is on his peak. Make all the records and break the legends first,” Nograles said in a text message.

Nograles, a Pacquiao fan, has watched all his fights live, and was undeterred by the swine flu virus that has hit Nevada.

Another big fan, Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez said, “That is his personal decision. It is up to the people to decide [if they want him in politics]. We cannot keep him from his desires.”

“He has all the right to run for Congress,” Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño added. “If he really wants to represent the people, there is nothing to stop Pacquiao. We are just warning him that this is a full-time job. He needs to study. He has one year to do that. He shouldn't be like the traditional politicians who only depend on their popularity."

“I think he's really now a serious contender. The dedication he has given to boxing, he should show the same dedication to politics. He should make sure he plays a clean game. There are dirty tricks in boxing, but there are a lot more in politics. If he does his homework, I think he can be a very effective politician,” he added.

But Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros, on the other hand, warned Pacquiao against entering politics.

"Everything would be wasted if he uses his popularity to enter politics. He has moral ascendancy now as a champion boxer who worked his way to the top. All of that would be lost if he joins the boxing ring of politics," she said.