Duterte teases Pacquiao: You might be president one day

Manny Pacquiao meets with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. (Photo from FACEBOOK of RODRIGO DUTERTE)

President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday teased boxer and Sen. Manny Pacquiao that he might be president one day.

Speaking at Pacquiao’s 38th birthday celebration in General Santos City Saturday night, Mr. Duterte called him “President to be.”

“I think you will also be President, it’s true,” Mr. Duterte said, to cheers from the guests.

“Sundan mo lang yan linya mo (Just follow your path),” he added.

He also said Pacquiao should stay humble.

This was not the first time that Mr. Duterte floated the idea of a President Pacquiao.

When the boxing superstar paid a courtesy call to him in Malacañang last month, Duterte reportedly raised Pacquiao’s hand and said: “For president na ’to ha. (This one is for president).”

But Pacquiao also said last month that running for president was not yet in his mind, though he added that was not closing the door to the possibility.

While keeping his international boxing career, Pacquiao also chose to dabble in politics.

He served for two terms as a member of the House of Representatives and then successfully ran for the Senate in this year’s elections. /ATM