Duterte teases Pacquiao: You’ll be President

Presidential Photo

President Duterte on Saturday teased boxer and Sen. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao that he might be President one day.

Speaking at Pacquiao’s 38th birthday celebration in General Santos City on 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.

Stay humble

He also said Pacquiao should stay humble.

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

When the boxing superstar paid a courtesy call to him in Malacañang last month, Mr. 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 has not crossed his mind yet, although he added that he was not closing the door to the possibility.

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

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