Pacman celebrates electoral win
It is the time for celebration in Philippines as world champion, and local celebrity Manny Pacquiao win the congress seat to represent the rural province of Saranggani in the south of the country. There were scenes of ecstasy, joy and happiness amongst the Pacquiao clan with the historic occasion being celebrated with booze, ballads and a bevy of supporters.
Pacquiao who is also known as Pacman, has an outstanding record as an international boxer. He is rated as one of the greatest of the game.
His career record, which includes the title of world champion in seven divisions, can gauge his pedigree; he won the congress seat after staving of stiff competition from his rivals, to fulfil his dream of becoming a voice for the poor and needy in the rural province of Philippines.
It was not all hunky-dory for the diminutive champion as his first bid for Congress in 2007 was unsuccessful. The defeat as a big lesson for the boxer who prepared thoroughly for his second campaign, and fought back like a true champions securing a landslide win this time around over a candidate from an influential clan.
"I'm happy that I won, and that the people voted for me. It's a huge responsibility to fulfil, and now I must help my fellow countrymen," said a beaming Pacquiao vowing to bring a revolution in the lives of those who have given him a chance to represent them in the government.
The 31-year-old boxer brushed off criticism that he was unprepared for a law-making job.
He said he has a road map, which will lead to success if implemented properly, his plans include a promise to build a provincial hospital and start livelihood programmes for his constituents, many of whom have already approached him. He also vowed to pass laws that would uplift the conditions of athletes and provide education for the underprivileged.
"A lot of people have criticised me from long ago up until now, but they've been proven wrong about my boxing, and about my character. All I can say is, it's hard to have the final word," Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao's victory brought double joy for his family coinciding with the birthday of his mother, Dionisia, who has allowed her son to enter the boxing ring for an eagerly awaited clash with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The encounter is expected to be full of action, as bitterness developed between the two rivals. The disagreement emerged when plans of a fight dissolved earlier this year over Pacquiao's refusal to agree to Mayweather's demands for an Olympic-style drug testing. A stubborn Pacquiao had refused to agree to his opponents’ demands, saying he did not want blood drawn from him too close to a fight.
Meanwhile Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, who was in the Philippines to support the boxer's election bid, has promised to do his all to ensure that the two fighters square off, in what is expected to be a titanic clash.
"I don't think of myself as the pound-for-pound king. I'm just an ordinary fighter who can beat a good fighter. I never said I was great, I'm an ordinary boxer but I can fight anybody," Pacquiao said.
The usually calm and composed Pacquiao not only keeps a close eye on the developments in the boxing ring and the manoeuvres’ made by the government, but also has a keen interest in television shows, movies and recordings.
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