Drilon backs Pacquiao’s return to the ring
Senate President Franklin Drilon said he supported neophyte Senator Manny Pacquiao’s plan to return to the boxing ring as long as it would not interfere with his work in the Senate.
“His (Pacquiao) commitment is that he will not neglect his duties as a senator and I take his word for that and I support his desire to exercise his profession as a professional boxer as long as he remains true to his commitment that he will not allow the exercise of his profession to interfere with his Senate duties,” Drilon said during the regular Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday.
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Like other lawmakers who have other professions, Drilon said Pacquiao had the right to exercise his boxing profession while performing his job as senator.
“I am a lawyer, I can exercise my profession as a lawyer. A businessman can continue running his business while being a member of the legislature and an entertainer can continue his or her profession while being a member of Congress. Why should we impose a different standard to a professional boxer…?” said the Senate leader.
“That’s why I’m supporting Senator Pacquiao’s decision to box again because that is his profession but I hold him to his commitment that it will not be at the price of neglecting his duty as a senator. I would be the first to criticize him if he does…”
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Drilon said the boxing icon consulted him about returning to the ring and he advised him to do it during the Senate break to avoid criticism.
“Yes, he asked me whether he can box . I said there’s nothing to prevent you but you can do it in a manner that will not interfere with your job at the Senate because he may be criticized and I said you can box during the break,” he added.
Pacquiao earlier gave the assurance that he would prioritize his work in the Senate and should he decide to fight again, he would do it when Congress was in recess so there would be no need for him to go on leave./rga
READ: Pacquiao: Work as senator is priority
