Pacquiao returns to PDP-Laban

Filipino boxing great and Senator Manny Pacquiao. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Neophyte Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao on Friday reaffirmed his membership with the new ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) after running under the senatorial slate of defeated presidential candidate Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in the May elections.

Pacquiao took his oath before the party’s president, incoming Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, during a luncheon in Makati City.

“I was PDP originally,” he said in an interview. “What’s important is we are all united for change. We support the advocacies of the administration.”

The boxing champ still did not confirm whether he had plans to fight again this year but said he would not allow it to interfere with his legislative work.

READ: Pacquiao vows next fight won’t interfere with Senate work

“Actually I have not spoken to Bob (Arum, his promoter) since the end of my last fight. I am  now focused on another task. It will begin on Monday so that’s where I focus on,” Pacquiao said.

Arum had said Pacquiao, who last fought in April, was planning a return bout in November.

Pacquiao, however, confirmed that he asked outgoing Sen. Franklin Drilon when the Senate is scheduled to take a break. RAM/rga

READ: Drilon backs Pacquiao’s return to the ring