Boxing idol Manny Pacquiao yesterday confirmed his intention to run for the mayoralty post in his native, General Santos City, but his bid is expected to encounter rough sailing because of a residency requirement.

Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos said Pacquiao, who is running under the Lakas-CMD banner, is still registered in Manila and may not meet his one-year residency requirement in General Santos.

The 28-year-old Pacquiao, a unifying figure every time he steps into the ring here and abroad, is scheduled to fight Korean Injin Chi on April 28 in Macau, China. Pacquiao said he believes he can be of help to residents in General Santos.

Pacquiao, an adopted son of Bacolod City, has reportedly met with local leaders of the Lakas party, who encouraged him to run for mayor in May. Incumbent General Santos Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr., one of the godfathers at Pacquiao's wedding, has told Pacquiao, "welcome to the club" when he learned of the boxer's mayoralty plans.

Meanwhile, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum yesterday said he will meet Pacquiao in Macau to finalize details of his fight against Chi, www.philboxing.com reported.

Pacquiao is expected to miss trainer Freddie Roach in the most part of his preparation against Chi, following the decision of world junior middleweight champion Oscar dela Hoya to tap Roach as his trainer for the fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Arum claimed Roach suggested that Pacquiao would be okay with his assistant Justin Fortune but the promoter added that he would leave Pacquiao to decide on the matter.

However, the Top Rank promoter said that if "worse comes to worse they can always get Floyd Mayweather Sr or Emmanuel Steward who would love to do it", the report added. *CPT

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