Belmonte tells Pacquiao: Run for senator first before presidency

MANILA, Philippines - House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on Monday said that Sarangani Province Rep. Manny Pacquiao should try running for a seat in the Senate first before seeking the presidency.

"Mag-aspire muna siya for senatorship. 'Wag naman presidente kaagad, mag-senador muna," Belmonte told reporters in a briefing Monday.

Belmonte said that although the 34-year-old Pacquiao will be constitutionally qualified to file his candidacy for presidency once he reaches the age of 40, it is better for a politician to get more experience first in Congress.

"Kailangang mag-senador muna. Training muna tayo dun sa senatorial level," Belmonte said.

Reports said that Pacquiao is already gunning for the presidency.

The pound-for-pound fighter said that the goal to become president from being a member of Congress is similar to when he entered boxing and desired to become a champion.

In 2012, Pacquiao told international media that the presidency is not yet in his mind but admitted that he is open to the possibility.

"If it's in God's plans, yes," he said.

Pacquiao is scheduled to fight American boxer Brandon Rios on November 24 in Macau, which follows his heartbreaking knockout from Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012.