Pacquiao says he is not used to politicking

FILE: Senator Manny Pacquiao (PCOO PHOTO)

Renowned boxer turned lawmaker Manny Pacquiao on Monday, November 21 confessed that he is tired with politics.

“I feel dismayed, discouraged. I want to let go because I’m not used to politicking,” the Senator told Philippine Star in an interview.

In his 15 months in office, this was his first time to disclose this to the media.

“I discovered that in politics, you wouldn’t know what’s real or not. People have many faces,” he said, as he added that he only opened such sentiment to his wife Jinkee and some of his close friends.

In the same interview, he, however, emphasized that experiencing poverty is still important in the political scene.

“What’s important is someone who’s true and sincere and truly feels for the poor. The rich know the country’s problems but they can’t really feel the plight of the poor. It’s different if you really feel their problem,” he added.

Pacquiao also said that he can relate to President Rodrigo Duterte and to Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson, who are both target of many criticisms in their stint in the government. Uson was brought up on the recent news of the recent nomination for her to run for a senatorial position on 2019.

He has also received many condemnations especially on his controversial statements on the gay community and his stance on same-sex marriage.

Though Senator discussed his sentiments on politics, he is still unsure if he will run again in the 2022 election.

Boxing career

His long-time coach Freddie Roach has recently advised him to retire from the ring as being an athlete and a legislator are both big responsibilities that require time and dedication.

“He’s doing a good job as a senator right now, but not as a boxer,” Roach said in an interview with Fightype, a website that releases news on boxing and mixed martial arts.

In an interview with GMA, Roach was also quoted as saying, “I could not conceive seeing Pacquiao in a secondary position other than as a world champion.”

Despite this, Pacquiao told him that he wanted to fight in the ring again.

Apart from politics and boxing, Pacquiao has ventured to different industries like acting, singing, and basketball.