After becoming one of the leading senatorial bets in the on-going counting of votes in the recently concluded Philippine elections, boxing champ Manny Pacquiao insisted that he is qualified to hold such post.

Answering to his critics who have been questioning his qualification, the 37-year-old athlete and politician pointed out that his rags-to-riches tale has made him a qualified lawmaker.

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It can be noted that before eyeing a higher position in the country's legislative branch, the "Fighter of the Decade" was a member of the House of Representatives.

While holding the post of a congressman for three years, Manny Pacquiao was a subject of criticism such as for reportedly incurring one of the most number of absences and for not proving himself as an effective lawmaker.

In its report, ABC disclosed that the controversy involving the world-renowned athlete's comments against same-sex marriage appeared to have no impact on his candidacy, as apparent in the votes he is garnering.

It can be recalled that when asked during an interview by a local television network, the greatest Asian fighter of all-time by BoxRec reportedly described homosexuals as "worse than animals."

It can be observed that in his ad campaigns, Manny Pacquiao focused on his difficult past in trying to win the Filipinos' votes.

"If a leader has not experienced being poor, he cannot truly feel for the poor," he stated. "The children sleeping on the streets, using cardboard boxes for blankets, I know how that feels, I know how it feels to go hungry for whole day, just drinking water to survive."

Prior to the elections, he committed to champion sports in his legislative agenda.

"Sports doesn't get any budget," Manny Pacquaio said. "That is why ... we cannot produce a single gold medal."

Tagsmanny pacquiao, Philippine Elections, Manny Pacquiao Senator, Boxing Champ Manny Pacquiao