Manny Pacquiao denies he is creating ‘political dynasty’ after three relatives elected to office

It is common practice among Filipino politicians to have their relatives also run for office to put a 'dynasty' in place with hopes of expanding their influence and staying in power.

Boxing champion turned politician Manny Pacquiao with a poster of his brother Rogelio Pacquiao, who ran for congress, during a political campaign in General Santos City in southern island of Mindanao.Show more

GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines // Philippine boxing hero turned-congressman Manny Pacquiao had three more relatives elected to public office today, but a representative for the star downplayed suggestions he was creating his own “political dynasty”.

The Commission on Elections said that two of the boxing superstar’s brothers, along with a sister-in-law, won village council seats in their home city of General Santos in the country’s south.

Rogelio and Bobby Pacquiao were elected councillors in separate districts of the city in polls held Monday, while Bobby’s wife, Lorelei, won re-election as village chief.

Although villages are the smallest government units, seats are hotly contested and considered the first step in building a crucial grassroots network for politicians aspiring to higher office.

It is common practice among Filipino politicians to have their relatives also run for office to put a “dynasty” in place in the hope of expanding their influence and keeping them in power.

The 34-year-old Manny Pacquiao, who recently expressed hopes of becoming president, has used the fame and riches generated from his boxing to launch a successful political career.

The high school dropout won a seat representing the impoverished southern province of Sarangani in 2010, and was re-elected unopposed in May.

His wife Jinkee was elected vice-governor of Sarangani, also in May.

The boxing hero’s chief of staff, Franklin Gacal denied that Pacquiao was trying to install his own political dynasty.

“Barangay district elections are non-partisan and are premised on ‘bayanihan’ spirit, a Filipino custom of helping one another in your community,” he said.

Manny Pacquiao was widely criticised after he said in July that he hoped to run for president.

Critics said he appeared ignorant of the law, which sets 40 the minimum age for a presidential candidate, making him too young for the next elections in 2016. Political analysts also said his skimpy record as legislator did not improve his chances for the presidency.

The boxer later clarified that he was aware of the minimum age limit and had no plans to run for the presidency in 2016.

Detractors have also said that his political ambitions have distracted him from boxing, leading to consecutive defeats to Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez last December and American Timothy Bradley in June.

He is now training furiously to redeem himself when he meets American Brandon Rios in Macau next month.

* Agence France-Presse