With the Philippine National flag in background, Filipino boxing great and now Senator Manny Pacquiao stands while a citation is being read to him during ceremony at the Commission on Elections Thursday, May 19, 2016 in suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao has won a seat in the Philippine Senate based on an unofficial count bringing him closer to a possible crack at the presidency. Pacquiao said he will retire from boxing to become a full-time politician. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
Manny Pacquiao has less than a week to make up his mind if he wants to join the Philippine contingent for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
May 27 is the deadline for the submission of entries to the final International Boxing Association Open-Olympic qualifying in Azerbaijan the following month.
Ed Picson, executive director of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines, hopes Pacquiao decides to don the tricolors, giving the country a good shot at a gold in Brazil.
“Hopefully, Manny says yes,” said Picson, who met with Pacquiao at his Forbes residence last Wednesday.
Picson said Pacquiao could get to Rio through either a wildcard invitation to be issued by AIBA or an Olympic qualifying event.
Pacquiao has received unprecedented success in his boxing career but has never won an amateur medal.
An Olympic gold is sure to lure any competitor but Pacquiao has just won a Senate seat in the 2016 National Elections.
“He’s concerned what the people will say,” said Picson.
In recent TV interviews after his official proclamation as a Senator, Pacquiao said he is giving the matter serious thought.
“Sa Olympics, pinagiisipan nating mabuti ‘yan. Gusto ko ngang tanungin ang sambayanan Pilipino kung papayag sila, kasi August ang Olympics e tapos mag-iistart na ang trabaho ko,” he said. “Baka sabihin na naman kasi, umpisa pa lang ng trabaho tapos absent na naman ako.”