Manny Pacquiao during a top-level meeting with Philippine sports officials. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQURER.net
Sen. Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday reaffirmed his vow to never miss a Senate session even while he is training for his comeback fight set on Nov. 5 in Las Vegas.
This as he left Manila Wednesday night for a press tour in Los Angeles after attending the last Senate session for the week. He is due to attend to the promotional tour from Sept. 8 to 10 to drum up his bout against WBO Welterweight champion Jessie Vargas.
“I’ll see you on Tuesday,” Pacquiao told reporters Wednesday.
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The Pacquiao-Vargas fight was firmed up in August, when the Filipino boxer-turned-legislator met with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum in Manila after weeks of being coy about his possible return fight. He promised that the bout and preparations it entails won’t disrupt his legislative work.
“I will be back. I’ll just stay there for two days, because I cannot be absent here. There’s a lot of work to do,” the junior Senator said.
Pacquiao has been squeezing in training while attending Senate committee hearings, sessions and other official functions.
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He said he goes on daily runs around his neighborhood in Makati City early in the morning, before proceeding to the Senate before 9 a.m., bringing along with him the boxing gear he would need for his night training.
After the Senate session, he proceeds to a nearby gym to continue training for around two hours.
“After jogging, I dress up then go to attend committee meetings, the session, and then go to training again. So you really need discipline to manage your time,” he said.
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He usually gets home at 9 p.m.
Pacquiao even finds time to take his wife Jinkee on dates: on Tuesday, he posted a snap of their dinner on Instagram with the caption “Date with my wife after training.”
“We went to dinner… [couples] need that. You really have to make time for each other,” said Pacquiao.
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Pacquiao has not missed a Senate session and has been actively participating in committee hearings and Senate inquiries, bent on making good his promise to turn around his dismal record as an absentee lawmaker during his time as Sarangani Representative.