Pacquiao, Grace Poe for president in 2016?

MANILA – It is still three years away before the 2016 presidential elections but many politicians with an eye for the presidency have started making noise to gauge public support and their chances in case they make serious their ambitions.
The latest to hug the headlines for their possible presidential run in 2016 are world boxing icon and Saranggani Congressman Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao and senatorial topnotcher Mary Grace Poe Llamanzares, daughter of the late presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr.
Pacquiao, who is allied with the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) and Poe, now an administration Liberal Party stalwart, will now join other “presidentiables,” namely, Vice President Jejomar Binay (UNA), Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas III (LP), Senators Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (NP) and Ramon Revilla Jr. (Lakas). Earlier, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero wanted also to run for president.
Pacquiao made the revelation about his dream to become president as he was promoting in China his upcoming boxing bout with Mexican Brando Rios. Later, Pacquiao said he was not keen in considering a presidential run in 2016.
Poe-Llamanzares, who lived, studied and worked in the United States for years before returning to the Philippines, disclosed at a forum with Senate reporters that she is considered by some as a possible contender for president.
“When you’re within the top five, you are considered possible [a contender],” Poe-Llamanzares said.
The neophyte senator who just filed the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill said that her main concern now was to do her job well and finish her term which ends in 2019.
“In the future I may have a different mindset but for now, I am telling you that I don’t feel that I’m qualified until I prove myself in the Senate,” she said.
 Pacquiao’s announcement gathered many supporters, but other cautioned him from running, pointing out that he was “young” for the post and must still hone his talent and skills in government before eyeing the nation’s top post.
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said he was not against Pacquiao having a presidential ambition but advised him to run for senator first, so he can further sharpen his talent and skills in government.
Leyte  Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez  said Pacquiao is qualified to run for president.
Others, however, immediately pointed out that Pacquiao was not yet qualified to run for president in 2016 because a presidential candidate should be at least 40 years old. Pacquiao will be only 36 years old in 2016.
“I will always protect the right of anyone, including Pacquiao who wants to be a president. If he is of age, can read and write, and he’s a Filipino, he has all the right. Similarly as it is the right of anyone to criticize, he is constitutionally eligible,” Romualdez said.
Speaker Belmonte said it would be best for Pacquiao to concentrate now on his bout with United States (U.S.) fighter Brandon Rios in Macau on Nov. 24.
He also said Pacquiao should instead aspire to become a senator instead of directly seeking the presidency.
“Mag-aspire muna s’ya for senator. Huwag munang presidente,” Belmonte said as he agreed that Pacquiao has the qualifications to run for president.
House Majority Floor Leader Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II said Pacquiao is free to do whatever political plans he has.
“It is a free country,” Gonzales said.