Manny Pacquiao (left) and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Screenshot from Marcos’ Facebook livestream
MANILA, Philippines — Worldwide boxing great Manny Pacquiao may be looking for a Senate comeback in the 2025 midterm elections, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday.
During Marcos’ visit to Pacquiao’s hometown of General Santos City for the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF), the President gave a shout-out to the sporting legend by saying he would return to the Senate.
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“At siguro hindi na kailangan ipakilala, babatiin ko na lang ang idol ko, ang idol niyo, ang idol nating lahat, ang dating senador at babalik na senador, Senator Manny Pacquiao,” Marcos said.
Pacquiao was eligible to seek reelection as a senator in the 2022 polls but opted to run for president instead, squaring against Marcos and other candidates in the presidential race.
Pacquiao eventually placed third with over 3.6 million votes, placing behind former Vice President Leni Robredo (15 million votes) and Marcos (31.6 million votes).
During the campaign season, Pacquiao had some choice words for Marcos. In October 2021, days after the filing of certificates of candidacy before the Commission on Elections, Pacquiao urged Marcos to return ill-gotten wealth amassed by his family and apologize for the abuses first before running for president.
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Pacquiao also called out Marcos for skipping presidential debates, daring the then-candidate to a one-on-one debate instead. The former boxing champ also claimed that Marcos did not have the ability to lead the Philippines.