Happy naman ako (They’re happy that I would eventually help and reach out to more people. I’m also happy),” he said.
But Pacquiao, who is faring well in the recent senatorial preference surveys, did not say whether he will be joining the slate of any major political party for his Senate run.
Vice President Jejomar Binay, who had declared his run for president under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), had offered a slot for Pacquiao in its senatorial lineup.
The PCM, which had forged an alliance with UNA, dominated the 2013 elections here and nearby Sarangani Province.
Pacquiao was present when the Vice President was officially proclaimed by UNA last July as its presidential candidate.
The boxing champion had made several hints that he is considering making a run for a Senate seat but did not make a formal declaration until Monday night.
City Councilor Rogelio “Ruel” Pacquiao, the congressman’s younger brother, announced last week that the latter he will no longer be seeking a third term at the House of Representatives in the May 2016 elections.
He said their party, the PCM, has picked him instead as its official candidate for Sarangani’s lone congressional district post.
During the party assembly, the PCM formally endorsed the re-election bid of incumbent Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon.
It also endorsed senior board member Elmer de Peralta as candidate for vice governor, replacing incumbent Vice Governor Geraldine “Jinkee” Pacquiao who has decided to retire from politics so she could concentrate on taking care of her family.
