Christian boxing champ Manny Pacquiao is ready to take on another fight, but this time it won't be related to boxing. The Filipino sportsman-politician has just announced on Monday that he will be running for senator in the 2016 Philippine general elections.
Pacquiao is currently a member of the Philippine House of Representatives representing the province of Sarangani.
Pacquiao made the announcement of his bid for a higher Senate seat during his State of the District Address early this week.
"In the coming days, I will be embracing new levels of responsibility. I will be confronting tough challenges," he told his constituents in Sarangani.
"My second term as your congressmen will soon be over, but I will continue to be of service you and to our fellow Filipinos," he said.
Based on recent surveys, Pacquiao appears to have a strong chance of winning one of the 24 Senate seats up for grabs in the May 10, 2016 elections. He is currently in the top 12 in recent senatorial preference surveys.
Pacquiao did not say under which party would be running. He also did not say if he will pursue his boxing career once he is elected senator.
Pacquiao is a known ally of Vice President Jejomar Binay, the opposition party's presidential candidate in next year's election. But Pacquiao is reportedly under pressure from advisers and political allies to break away from Binay, who has been accused of corruption when he was still the mayor of Makati, the Philippines' financial capital.
But Pacquiao is known to value loyalty and has made a commitment to support Binay.
Pacquiao said he has his wife Jinkee's full support to run for Senate.
Both Pacquiao and Jinkee have been quiet about his political plans on their social media accounts. On Pacquiao's Instagram account (@mannypacquiao), the Filipino boxer kept sharing photos of his family attending church and doing other bonding activities.
They recently celebrated their daughter Princess' birthday by visiting an orphanage and sharing their blessings, and then holding a lavish Adventure Time-themed birthday bash.
During their orphanage visit, Pacquiao and his family treated orphans and their caretakers with a meal from Filipino fast food giant Jollibee, then distributed cakes, backpacks, and boxes filled with goodies.
"Spending Princess Birthday at the orphange. 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' Acts 20:35," wrote Pacquiao.
Meanwhile, his wife Jinkee (@jinkeepacquiao) shared similar photos on her Instagram account, but in one particularly post, she appeared to have alluded to her husband's decision to run for higher office: "Life can be full of unexpected things, either happy or sad, but no matter what, things may happen. Just always keep a loving heart, a wise mind and a strong faith in GOD who will always stay with us through all the journeys of our life."