Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte named former world champion in eight divisions Manny Pacquiao his successor. "I am dedicating this message to Manny. You know why? I told him one time, while we were alone: 'Your style encourages me to make you President. You know, you can do it,'" Duterte recently stated during Pacquiao's 39th birthday party.
Last year, Pacquiao became a senator in the Philippines. In the poll of 2016, Pacquiao received 15 592 390 votes, which earned him the seventh place in the local Senate of 12 people.
Before becoming a senator, Pacquiao was a congressman in the province of Sarangani.
"As a senator, you have demonstrated the qualities of a true leader-someone who believes that in order to make the Philippines a better country, we have to keep our people on top of our priorities," Duerte said.
The president praised the achievements of Pacquiao in boxing.
"You have brought so much pride and joy to our country for being a world champion in the field of boxing. The determination you have shown and the humility you embody in the midst of glorious triumphs are worthy of emulation by our countrymen," Duterte said.
Pacquiao, with the record of 59 wins, 7 losses and 2 draws, is not yet ready to hang gloves. The veteran from the Philippines is preparing to return to the ring in April - against someone of the top-15.
Pacquiao has not entered the ring since July, when he lost his WBO title to Jeff Horn before 51,000 spectators at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
Rematch with Horn was scheduled for November, but Pacquiao was forced to chancel it referring to the conflict with his working schedule as a senator.
Now Horn will probably meet with mandatory challenger Terence Crawford in April in Las Vegas. Bob Arum of Top Rank, who is the promoter of Pacquiao, wants Manny to meet the winner of this meeting in the fall.
