Manny Pacquiao is a Philippine legislator who has served in both chambers of Congress since 2010. He first gained acclaim as a world-class champion boxer and juggled his careers as a public official and athlete until 2021 when he announced his retirement from the sport. The boxer-turned-legislator is also a preacher and founded the church Word for Everyone Ministries International, Inc. in 2012.
Pacquiao has consistently been noted for being the top absentee among lawmakers and for penning a relatively low number of laws and bills. He principally authored the National Bible Day Act and the Handbook for OFWs Act of 2017.
Citing his religious beliefs as a born-again Christian, Pacquiao has expressed support for the LGBTQ community but not same-sex marriage. In 2016, he drew ire both locally and internationally for derogatory remarks he made about the minority group.
He previously supported the reinstatement of the death penalty for the manufacturing and trafficking of illegal drugs but, like other candidates seeking higher office, reversed his position in Nov. 2021.
Pacquiao is campaigning on ridding the country of corruption, criminality, and poverty, though he has not published any concrete policy proposals as of this writing.
Manny Pacquiao has won world boxing titles in eight different weight divisions, and is considered one of the world’s best boxers in the world.
Quick Facts
Full Name: Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao
Birthday: December 17, 1978 (Age 45)
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Place of Birth: Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines
Residence: General Santos City
Occupation: Boxer, Senator
Religion: Evangelical Protestantism
Famous As: Eight-Division Boxing World Champion
Nickname: Pac-Man, Pambansang Kamao
Height: 5′ 5½″ / 166cm
Family:
Spouse: Jinkee Pacquiao
Father: Rosalio Pacquiao
Mother: Dionesia Dapidran-Pacquiao
Siblings: Bobby Pacquiao, Domingo Silvestre, Isidra Pacquiao-Paglinawan, Liza Silvestre-Onding, Rogelio Pacquiao
Children: Emmanuel Pacquiao Jr, Israel Paquiao, Michael Pacquiao, Princess Pacquiao, Queen Elizabeth Pacquiao
Education: Notre Dame Of Dadiangas University
Education:
- High School Diploma, High School Equivalency Exam, 2007
- 10-day crash course on Development Legislation and Governance, Graduate School of Public and Development Management at the Development Academy of the Philippines, 2010
- Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science Majoring in Local Government Administration through the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), Philippine Councilors League-Legislative Academy ,2019
- Honoris Causa, Doctorate of Humanities, Southwestern University, 2009
Work Experience:
- Professional Boxer
- Representative Sarangani Province, 15th Congress, 2010 to 2013
- Representative Sarangani Province, 16th Congress, 2013 to 2016
- Senator, 17th Congress, 2016
Who Is Manny Pacquiao?
Manny Pacquiao came from a poor background and, at an early age, left home living in the streets around Manilla. He took up boxing at an early age and made rapid progress into becoming a world-class boxer. He has won ten world titles in eight different divisions and is widely considered one of the greatest pound per pound boxers of the decade.
In addition to boxing, Pacquiao is an elected representative to the Filipino parliament and is an influential spokesperson on many issues.
Born in the Philippines in 1978, Manny Pacquiao began boxing professionally at age 16. After beating Thailand’s Chatchai Sasakul to win the WBC flyweight championship in 1998, he continued to overwhelm his era’s top competitors en route to titles in eight separate weight divisions. Along with his boxing career, Pacquiao twice was elected to his country’s House of Representatives and won a Senate seat in 2016.
Filipino professional boxer and politician Manny Pacquiao is Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao in real life. He was born on December 17, 1978 in Kibawe, Bukidnon to parents Rosalio Pacquiao and Dionesia Dapidran-Pacquiao. Manny is fourth among the six siblings: Liza, Domingo, Isidra, Alberto, and Rogelio. His parents got separated when he was in Grade six.He is married to Maria Geraldine “Jinkee” Jamora-Pacquiao. The couple has four children: Emmanuel Jr. (Jimuel), Michael, Princess, and Queen Elizabeth, whom they fondly call, Quennie.
During his early years, Manny spent his elementary days at Saavedra Saway Elementary School in General Santos City. But he dropped out in high school because of poverty. Only in February 2007 that Manny took the high school equivalency exam and passed making him eligible to enter college. Because he can afford to support himself that time, he then enrolled at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU) in General Santos City. There, he took up a degree in Business Management. Manny is also a military reservist with the rank Lieutenant Colonel in Philippine Army’s Reserved Force.
At the age of 14, Manny left his family and went to Manila hoping for some trainings that he can avail for his chosen career – boxing. His first professional bout happened when he was 16 years old and won against Edmund Ignacio. Because of this, he spent most of his time training that led him to what he is today- a professional boxer. Since then, he was made to fight not only with local boxers but also against famous international boxers. After his non-stop victories in boxing, Manny lost the game to opponent Timothy Bradley in their June 2012 boxing match. In December 2012, he again fought against Juan Miguel Marquez and lost the title to the latter. Just recently, his trainer and coach Freddie Roach stated that if Manny lost again for the third time, that would be a signal for him (Pacquiao) to retire from his boxing career.
Because of his desire to help the less fortunate, Manny decided to run for Congress in the May 2007election for the 1st District of South Cotabato. Unfortunately, he lost the position to Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custudio. In 2009, Manny decided to run again for the same position for the 2010 election but this time in Sarangani province, his wife’s hometown. Manny won and was declared as congressman in the lone district of Sarangani.
Manny is also a recipient of numerous recognitions and awards being given to him by different organizations here and abroad. He was also considered as World’s 6th Highest Paid Athlete by Forbes Magazine.
Aside from being a boxer and a politician, Manny also had his share of movie appearances. Among the films that he took part in are Wapakman, Di Ko Kayang Tanggapin, Lisensyadong Kamao, anak ng Kumander, Brown Soup Thing, Pangarap Kong Jackpot, Basagan ng Mukha, and Mahal Kita.. Kahit Sino Ka Pa! He also has TV programs which he hosted like Pinoy Records, Kamao: Matira Ang Matibay, Manny Many Prizes, and the most recent Para Sa ‘Yo Ang Laban Na ‘To, co-hosted by Jean Garcia. Manny was also seen in the comedy TV series Show Me Da Manny with Marian Rivera.
