MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Franklin Drilon has given the go signal to neophyte senator and world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao to return to the ring but with one condition.

The outgoing Senate President said Pacquiao had asked his permission to fight again.

“He asked me whether he can box. I said there is nothing to prevent you but you can do it in a manner that will not interfere with your job as a senator because you will be severely criticized. I said you can box during the break,” Drilon said in a press conference on Thursday, July 21.

Drilon said he fully supports the boxing champion’s comeback, saying lawmakers can still exercise their respective professions alongside legislative work.

“I am a lawyer and I can exercise my profession as a lawyer. A businessman can continue running his/her business while being a member of the legislature. An entertainer can continue his or her profession while being a member of the Congress. Why should we impose a different standard to a professional boxer?” Drilon said.

The Senate leader said Pacquiao promised him that the latter would not neglect his duties as a senator.

If Pacquiao fails to deliver on his promise, Drilon vowed to be the first person to criticize the neophyte senator.

“But I hold him to his commitment that it will not be at the price of neglecting his duty as a senator. I’ll be the first one to criticize him if he does that,” he added.

Pacquiao’s promoter, Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, said that the senator is eyeing a boxing match in November 5.

But Pacquiao earlier denied it as well as talks he plans to take a leave from the Senate to focus on his next fight. He then vowed to prioritize his legislative responsibilities and agenda.

The former Sarangani representative had the most absences in the House of Representatives primarily due to his fights. Records showed that he only attended one session during the last year of the 16th Congress. – Rappler.com