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Pacquiao on giving up boxing, basketball if he wins Senate seat: It depends


Boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao is ready to let go of some of his endeavors and focus on crafting laws if he wins as senator next year, but remained coy on whether his victory will spell the end of his boxing career.
 
In an interview with reporters late Tuesday night, Pacquiao said he is still uncertain if he could continue his boxing and basketball careers should he be elected to the Senate.
 
“Depende, kasi malaking responsibilidad 'yan at kailangang mag-focus na sa trabaho,” he said when asked on the prospects of remaining a professional athlete even if he becomes a senator.
 
Pacquiao also plays for Mahindra (formerly Kia Sorento) in the PBA.
 
The eight-division boxing champion said he took a long time to decide on his senatorial bid because he knew he will have to face bigger responsibilities as a lawmaker if he wins.
 
“Kaya nga matagal akong nag-desisyon, nag-announce ng pagtakbo dahil pinag-iisipan natin 'yan—'yung responsibilidad na sinasabi ko. So kailangan nating talikuran kung ano man… i-give up kung ano mang pinagkakaabalahan ko para makapag-focus dun sa lehislatibo,” he said.
 
When asked if his focus on senatorial work will mean hanging up his boxing gloves for good, Pacquiao said: “Depende naman. I-announce ko 'yan.”

He was also mum when asked which political party he will join for his senatorial bid
 
Rags to riches story
 
Despite his poor attendance record in the House, Pacquiao said he has not been remiss in his duties as a district representative since he is able to deliver the services his constituents need.
 
In a senatorial race packed with equally moneyed and famous candidates, Pacquiao is optimistic his rags-to-riches life story will resonate with voters, most of which belong to the masses.
 
“Sinabi ko nga na siguro walang ibang tao— iilan lang ang tao ang nakaramdam ng paghihirap ng ibang tao—kundi ako siguro. Lahat ng taong naghihirap, I feel sa kanilang nararamdamam ngayon kung paano maghirap, paano 'yung pangangailangan sa pamilya kasi diyan ako galing.
 
“Kumbaga natulog ako sa bangketa, nagtinda ako ng kung anu-ano. Naranasan kong lahat 'yan kaya nararamdaman ko 'yung hinaing at pangangailangan ng mahihirap na tao,” he said.
 
Focus: lowering income tax rates
 
Should he win a Senate seat, Pacquiao vowed to push for lowering income tax rates and increasing the pay of government workers.
 
"Iyan ang focus natin 'pag tayo nalagay sa Senado: ang pagbaba ng individual income tax at increase ng salary ng government employees,” he said.
 
The boxing icon said adjusting income tax rates will be beneficial for the working class because they will be able to exercise more control on how they spend their salaries.
 
"Iyong pagbaba ng tax sa mga tao, maganda iyan kasi parang binabalik mo lang iyong para sa kanila [Lowering the tax rate is good because you're basically returning the money to the people]," he added.
 
Several bills have been filed in the House of Representatives and Senate seeking to lower income tax rates.
 
These proposals, however, have been thumbed down by Malacañang.
 
House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. last week said passing the measure will have to be left to the next Congress since they no longer have time to tackle it in their remaining session days. —KG/TJD, GMA News
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