Manny Pacquiao sworn in as Sarangani congressman

abs-cbnNEWS.com Posted at 06/28/2010 9:55 AM | Updated as of 06/29/2010 12:16 PM

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) World champion boxer Manny Pacquiao was sworn in as congressman of Sarangani province on Monday, vowing to be even more effective in government than he is in the ring. Trading his gloves for a traditional barong, Pacquiao was among local officials who took their oaths of office in the capital of Sarangani province where he knocked out an entrenched political clan in the May 10 elections. "I will be more effective in politics than in boxing," he told the crowd of 3,000 after the ceremonies. The 31-year-old fighter said he would work on improving infrastructure, medical services and security during his three-year term in parliament.

Before his oath-taking, Pacquiao transferred from the Nacionalista Party (NP) of defeated presidential bet Manny Villar to the Liberal Party of President-elect Benigno Noynoy Aquino III. Susuportahan natin yung administrasyon na uupo ngayon, si Noynoy, dahil maganda rin naman ang hangarin niya at para din naman sa kababayan natin, Pacquiao explained to reporters on Sunday. Pacquiao said he even spoke with NP standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Manny Villar, Jr. to explain his decision. The 7division world champion endorsed Villar's bid for the presidency in the May 10 polls.

He also said that he moved to the LP because he wants to make sure that the influx of projects in Sarangani Province will continue. Pacquiao paid a courtesy call to Aquino last May at the President-elects home along Times Street in Quezon City where they talked about the problems of Sarangani Province as well as the power crisis in Mindanao. (Read: Manny Pacquiao vows support for Noynoy Aquino) The Filipino boxing superstar, however, did not say when he will take his oath as a member of the LP.

Jinkee Pacquiao at her husband's inauguration.

Serve the people Pacquiao, meantime, also spoke to his political allies on Sunday to remind them about the real reasons why there were electedto serve the people of Sarangani Province and fulfill the promises they made during the campaign period. His inauguration, which began at 9 a.m. on Monday, was held at the Sarangani Provincial Capitol grounds. He took his oath alongside other elected officials of the province. He said he would thank former Sarangani Province Rep. Erwin Chiongbian. Pacquiao defeated the former congressmans brother, Roy, in the May 10 elections. The world-renowned boxing champion also mentioned that he will continue the programs of the former administration. He is also looking forward to making his promises happen. Pacquiao finished his 10-day executive coaching course last Friday, receiving his Development Legislation and Governance course certificate from the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) in Ortigas, Pasig City. (Read: Pacquiao finishes 10-day course, now ready for Congress) Continue to fight Pacquiao, who is regarded as a national hero in the boxing crazy Philippines, has said he can continue to fight even while serving as a legislator.

Boxing promoters are working to arrange a bout between Pacquiao and American Floyd Mayweather in November, to settle once and for all the fighters' claim to be the best fighter, pound-for-pound, of their generation. Negotiations for a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight fell through earlier this year when the American insisted on Olympicstyle random drug testing, which the Filipino rejected as too intrusive before a bout. His winnings from boxing as well as his commercial endorsements last year made Pacquiao the world's sixth-highest paid athlete, with earnings of $40 million, according to Forbes magazine. With reports from Jay Dayupay, ABSCBN News SOKSARGEN, and AFP

Congressman Manny Pacquiao

608 days ago by Kaiser 1

Manny Pacquiao had knockout Mr. Roy Chiongbian last May 10, 2010 elections in their fight for congressman in Sarangani Province. Chiongbian clan ruled Sarangani for almost 18 years however Manny had dethroned them last election. Manny got two times the number of votes that made him a landslide victory. James L. Chiongbian the father of Roy Chiongbian who factually created Sarangani province by authoring Republic Act 7228. Roy Chiongbian served as the new provinces first congressman for nine years. He was succeeded by his son Erwin who had also served for additional nine years. Manny had worked out this time. At the night of the election, he is very busy like an apprehensive candidate. He calls and personally speaks to his poll watchers at the 379 precincts at schools and public meeting places all over his area. He is finding way to sense how the voters were leaning, these are comprises by coconut farmers, tuna fishermen or laborers who exist on less than $2 a day. In 2007, he first ran for a congressional seat aligned with another political empire, Darlene Antonino-Custodio in General Santos City, his hometown. He failed to win in the election because of lack in political knowledge and ineffective campaign. Pacquio admitted that he lost big in campaign expenditure. Some noted instances are running away his money of those who volunteered to help for the campaign. Manny claimed that this is his most satisfying win in his life. Certainly all his hard work was commendable; he got 80 percent of the total votes. It is approximately 90,000 votes out of 125,000 registered voters which made the boxing champ mathematically impossible to be defeated. He promised to focus on the livelihood projects for his political plan aiming to alleviate the lives of those ordinary workers such as coconut farmers, tuna fishermen or laborers in Sarangani province, the hometown of his wife Jinkee.