MANILA, Philippines – If there's anything more to add to Manny Pacquiao's many laurels, it's an Olympic tour of duty.
And the possibility of that turning into a reality is now up to the Filipino people, according to the newly proclaimed senator himself.
Speaking before the media at the PICC for the first time as a senator, Pacquiao said that he is thoroughly thinking about joining the fray in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, where the 31st Olympic games will be held.
"Pinagiisipan pa nating mabuti 'yan, kasi, gusto kong tanungin ang sambayanang Pilipino kung papayag ba sila," Pacquiao said, who garnered a total of 16,050,546 votes for a senate seat in the recent elections.
"August, tapos magsstart na 'yung trabaho ko. Baka sabihin nila, 'Oh, first month, second month sa trabaho niya, nag-absent [na naman]?' he said. "Baka sisihin na naman ako."
The Rio Olympics is scheduled to begin August 5 and will conclude on August 21. All of the newly elected public officials are expected to begin their terms by June or July, once president-elect Rodrigo Duterte is sworn in.
Earlier this April, the Amateur Boxing Associations of the Philippines (ABAP) said that AIBA has already invited Pacquiao to lend his wares for the flag.
In a report made by Spin.PH, ABAP executive director Ed Picson said that AIBA is just waiting for Pacquiao to respond. Although it hasn't been decided yet whether the decorated boxer would still compete in the olympic qualifying tournament (OQT).
"‘Tell him to decide first, then we’ll talk,’” Aiba President Dr. Wu Ching-kuo told Picson, according to the report.
Before becoming a senator, Pacquiao served twice in the Congress as a representative for Sarangani province. Although his reign as a lawmaker was hounded by many absences. In 2014, he only showed up four times for work.
But his dismal attendance barely put a dent to his senatorial bid, as he placed 7th in the rankings. He bested veteran politicians in Risa Hontiveros, Ralph Recto and Francis Pangilinan.
Pacquiao will have until July to decide as the Olympic qualifying tournament is set on the same month.
"Pinagaaralan natin at hinihingi natin yung approval ng sambayanan dahil magisisimula na yung trabaho natin sa Hunyo," he said.
Asked how ready he is for the new endeavor, Pacquiao said he'll review extensively for his "new task in life."
The eight-division boxing champion expressed confidence for his new political stint, saying he'll employ the same discipline he uses in training sessions before his fights.