Pacquiao files for party-list group

By Jerome Aning
Philippine Daily Inquirer


MANILA, Philippines—World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has personally filed with the Commission on Elections in Intramuros, Manila, a certificate manifesting the intent to participate in the 2010 elections of the Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA), a party-list group advocating for the welfare of current and past athletes.

Pacquiao was mobbed by Comelec employees and other kibitzers jostling to take a picture, get an autograph or shake his hand.

A manifestation of intent is the equivalent of a certificate of candidacy for party-list groups. Pacquiao, however, is not the nominee of the party. He said he was filing his CoC for representative of Sarangani province on Tuesday.

The boxer, who chairs the PBA, was accompanied by former basketball player Chris Bolado and martial artist Reynaldo Malonzo, former mayor of Caloocan City.

"PBA will focus on our countrymen who are athletes, who need our help so that they can bring honor to our country wherever they go. PBA will help them get all the support they need,” Pacquiao said.

PBA’s filing brought to 185 the number of party-list groups that will participate in the elections next year.

Others that filed on Sunday included the scientist group Agham led by its president Angelo Palmones, the indigenous group Katribu, and the youth groups Akap-Bata and Kabataan.

Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino said his group would scrutinize all party-list groups and their nominees to expose those that are mere “fronts” of the government.

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