Boxing hero says group can help produce world-class sports champs

MANILA - Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao on Sunday endorsed the group Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA), even accompanying its leaders to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office to file their manifestation of intent to participate in the party-list system of elections in May 2010.

Manny Pacquiao with other members of partylist group Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) before filing manifestation of intent to participate in the party-list system of elections in May 2010, November 29, 2009

Pacquiao, who holds a world record for winning the title in 7 different weight divisions, is also chair of PBA. He said the organization will advocate the welfare of Filipino athletes.

“Sana po suportahan ninyo ang bagong PBA. Kailangan nating magtulungan para laging maiwagayway ang bandila ng Pilipinas sa anumang sulok ng mundo (I hope you will support the new PBA. We have to help each other so the Philippine flag will also stand proud anywhere in the world)," said Pacquiao.

Former Ginebra basketball player Chris Bolado said that Pacquiao’s endorsement is a great help for the party. “Malaking bagay si Manny para sa PBA. He supported us before.”

Bollado said that the group has not yet come up with a list of their nominees for the party-list election.

Sarangani battle

The PBA also ran but lost in the 2007 party-list elections. If it loses again in 2010, it will be banned from participating in the party-list polls in the future.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao said that he will file his certificate of candidacy for congressman in Sarangani on December 1. He will be facing Roy Chiongbian, brother of incumbent Sarangani Rep. Erwin Chiongbian and a scion of an old political clan in the province.

Pacquiao said his slate will consist of candidates for local posts.

In 2007, Pacquiao ran for the congressional seat of the 1st district of South Cotabato against incumbent representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio, who also belongs to a political family. The boxer lost miserably, getting only 75,908 votes while Custodio got 139,061 votes.

Pacquiao ran under the Atienza-wing of the Liberal Party but jumped ship to the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino after the Supreme Court ruled that the legitimate LP is the faction headed by then Senator Franklin Drilon. (Jesus Llanto, Newsbreak)