Ex-US Pres. Clinton ‘endorses’ Pacquiao: I hope he goes right on up the ladder

(Updated 1:04 p.m.) After boxing, the presidency? In offering life advice to US TV viewers, former US President Bill Clinton cited Manny Pacquiao as an example of someone planning beyond his current career.

"He's already in the Philippine parliament and I hope that he goes right on up the ladder. I think that he's a great guy and he's a great role model for the country and he's very strong and honest," Clinton said on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), just minutes after Pacquiao himself was interviewed on the same show.

Clinton was US president from 1993 to 2001. His wife Hillary is considered a favorite for the Democratic nomination for the next US presidential race.
 

Pacquiao currently represents Sarangani in the House of Representatives. His wife Jinkee is vice governor of the same province.

The Pacquiao couple face tax evasion charges in the Philippines based on boxing-related income the boxer made in the United States.

Preceding Clinton on the Kimmel show, Pacquio was backstage when the Democratic Party kingmaker made the "endorsement."

But Pacquiao, when asked by Kimmel about Clinton's hopes that he "one day will run the country," said he is focused on his job as lawmaker and his boxing match with Timothy Bradley Jr.

"Right now I'm focused on my position as a congressman ... and boxing," he said.

Too young for the presidency

Pacquiao, however, has to wait for the 2022 elections if he wants to seek the presidency.

Article VII, Section 2 and 3 of the 1987 Constitution sets the minimum age requirement for candidates for president and vice president at 40.

Pacquiao was born on Dec. 17, 1978. He will be 37 years old during the elections in May 2016.

In 2011, Pacquiao indicated interest in running for vice president in the 2016 elections. His plan, however, was foiled since he will not meet the age requirement for a vice-presidential candidate come 2016.

Last month, Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is eyeing the presidency next elections, said he is planning to tap Pacquiao as senatorial candidate in 2016. 

The Constitution requires a citizen to be at least 35 years old to be able to qualify for the senatorial race. — Joel Locsin and Andreo Calonzo/RSJ/KG/HS, GMA News