Perfect attendance in Senate? Pacquiao answers: 'As a Christian, hindi tama 'yung mangako ka'

While professing commitment to his new role as senator, boxing champ Manny Pacquiao refuses to promise perfect attendance during his term in Senate.

Pacquiao, who ranked seventh in the 2016 senatorial race, said it wouldn't be right as a Christian to make such a promise, even as he reiterated that he will do his best.

"Alam n'yo, as a Christian, hindi yata tama 'yung mangako ka," he said. "Gagawin natin ang ating makakaya. Kapag nangako ka, for example, na perfect attendance ka, pero nagkasakit ka, hindi mo natupad 'yung pangako mo. I'm just giving an example."

Pacquiao had been the target of much criticism during two terms at the House of Representatives, where he was one of the most frequently absent congressmen.

The new senator, however, repeatedly said he will not waste the "trust and support" thrown at him by more than 16 million voters. He is looking to work on "legalizing" free education from grade school to college, as well as supporting athletes.

He added that he has been "reviewing" for the "tough job" he will face at the upper chamber.

Pacquiao said this means boxing will take a backseat.

"Pinag-isipan ko talaga bago ako tumakbo sa national [position], dahil [sa] responsibilidad na aking gagamapan. Kung nagawa ko nga 'yung pagdisiplina ko nga sa sarili ko, sa career ko, na-achieve ko 'yung na-achieve ko sa boxing, dito pa kaya? Kaya kong idisiplina 'yung sarili ko para sa pagbabago ng ating bansa," he said.

Pacquiao, however, didn't categorically close his doors to possibly representing the Philippines in the Olympics later this year. He admitted he is wary of entering into it without the public's "consent" as he doesn't want to be blamed for not attending sessions at the Senate.

"Pinag-iisipan po nating mabuti 'yan. Gusto ko ngang tanungin ang sambayanang Pilipino, kasi mag-start 'yun ng August, magsa-start rin ang trabaho ko. Baka sabihin, 'First month, second month sa trabaho niya, nag-absent na naman.' Baka sisihin na naman ako. So kailangan kong itanong kung papayagan ako ng sambayanang Pilipino," he said. —JST, GMA News