Manny Pacquiao: I have no plans to run for president

Manny Pacquiao celebrates his win against Adrien Broner in the WBA welterweight title boxing match Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

MANILA, Philippines—The idea of Manny Pacquiao running for the presidency of the Philippine has been floating around since the boxing icon became a senator in 2016.

Pacquiao is already eligible for the presidency since he turned 40 on Dec. 17, 2018, but the top post in Philippine politics isn’t the focus of the boxer-senator.

During his post-fight interview with Showtime’s Jim Gray, Pacquiao said he doesn’t have any plan to try for the presidency.

“To become a president, I don’t have that in my mind right now,” said Pacquiao after he defeated Adrien Broner via unanimous to retain his WBA World welterweight title Sunday (Manila time) at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“I have no plans to run for president.”

Pacquiao (61-7-2) has been a legislator since 2010 when he was elected to the Lower House of the Philippine Congress as the representative of Sarangani.

He was then re-elected in 2013 before becoming a senator in 2016 to serve a six-year term until 2022.

“I’m happy serving the people as a senator and giving honor to our country,” said Pacquiao who’s been a philanthropist since becoming one of boxing’s biggest names in the early 2000s.

“I’m so thankful for the fans who came here to my fight, thank you for the support,” said Pacquiao.