Critics don’t faze Pacquiao

Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao poses for the media after signing the “Integrity Pledge” following his filing the certificate of candidacy as a senatorial candidate in next year’s presidential elections Friday, Oct. 16, 2015 in Manila, Philippines. More than 70 presidential hopefuls have filed their certificates of candidacy with Sen. Grace Poe and former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas considered as top contenders. Pacquiao is one of the most popular senatorial candidates. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

TAGUM CITY—Boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao has shrugged off criticism his absenteeism in Congress has made him an ineffective lawmaker, saying that his plan is to reach out to more people beyond his constituency.

In an interview with the Inquirer during a visit here Saturday, the 36-year-old senatorial aspirant under the United Nationalist Alliance said he had “much to offer to Filipinos.”

“I wholeheartedly offer my services to the Filipino people. My plan is to reach out and help more people, not just in Sarangani but throughout the country,” he told reporters in a gathering of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, where Binay was guest speaker.

Pacquiao obtained a high school equivalency diploma in 2007 and pursued a business administration degree.

He said the criticism against him had no bearing on his senatorial bid, calling the tirades a “natural” thing.

Pacquiao said that if elected senator, he would work for the passage of a law that would mandate totally free education from elementary school to college.

“I would also pass measures to give salary increases to our workers and pass laws that would protect our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) from abuses abroad,” he said. Frinston Lim, Inquirer Mindanao