Pacquiao optimistic of new title - congressman

World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao expressed confidence of winning a new title as the Philippine elections opened yesterday - congressman in the House of Representatives.

"Today is the day, the judgement day," Pacquiao said as he waited to vote in the southern province of Sarangani that he hopes to represent.

"Of course, I'm very confident to win the election."

Pacquiao said he received no VIP treatment at his polling station in Kiamba town, close to the city where he spent his early years in abject poverty before rising to global fame through his golden gloves.

"We have to queue up and wait for our number," the 31-year-old welterweight champion, one of the world's highest-paid athletes, said.

It is his second attempt to run for public office since 2007, when voters in General Santos city supported his rival, which was seen then as a sign that fans wanted him to remain a boxer and stay off the tainted world of politics.

Pacquiao is now running in another district against a local businessman. He is again regarded as the underdog because his rival comes from a powerful clan that has ruled the area for many years.

Experts say Pacquiao, who is regarded as the world's greatest active boxer, pound for pound, has only a few more years of peak form before he risks losing to younger boxers or severe injury.

Pacquiao has said that public office would be his way of paying society back by helping poor Filipinos after his fighting career is over.