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Manny Pacquiao to run for senate in the Philippines

Celebrities and powerful families in the Philippines have often presided over politics, and Pacquiao is very popular in the country.

By Elizabeth Shim
Manny Paciquiao, right, speaks as his promotor, Bob Arum, looks on during a May 2 news conference after his welterweight unification bout against Floyd Mayweather, Jr., at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Arum said Pacquiao would be able to fight until April 9, when he would be required to return to the Philippines to run for the senate. File Photo by David Becker/UPI
Manny Paciquiao, right, speaks as his promotor, Bob Arum, looks on during a May 2 news conference after his welterweight unification bout against Floyd Mayweather, Jr., at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Arum said Pacquiao would be able to fight until April 9, when he would be required to return to the Philippines to run for the senate. File Photo by David Becker/UPI | License Photo

MANILA, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Philippine boxer Manny Pacquiao said he plans to run for his country's senate, but the campaign should not interfere with his boxing, according to his promoter.

Pacquiao, 36, is a member of the lower house of representatives, or congress, the BBC reported Tuesday. His campaign would begin in May 2016, which means he could still partake in matches through April, the Las Vegas Review Journal reported.

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"We've got time to get everything figured out," Pacquiao's promoter and Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said. "There's a group in the [Middle East] that is still trying to get Manny to fight there, so we have to see how that plays out. But Las Vegas makes the most sense because of the [HBO] pay-per-view."

Pacquiao's boxing often has taken precedence over his political career, and the athlete has been criticized for missing many congressional meetings during his terms in office. Celebrities and powerful families in the Philippines, however, have often presided over politics, and Pacquiao is very popular in the country.

Pacquiao has often pushed for legislation to battle against sex trafficking and supported bills that promote social welfare and sports.

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Arum said Pacquiao would be able to fight until April 9, when he would be required to return to the Philippines to run for the senate. The boxer has recovered from a recent surgery following his May 2 loss to U.S. champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr., but his promoter said, "Everything is fine with the shoulder."

"They did the MRI and everything looked good. He's been playing basketball and it's a matter of when Manny wants to get back in the gym," Arum said.

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