Pacquiao ready to fight hard in boxing and political rings

World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao believes he can continue his phenomenal career in the ring while also fulfilling his dream of helping his poor countrymen as a politician.

Still on a high after winning a congressional seat representing the impoverished southern Philippine province of Sarangani, Pacquiao, 31, said he would continue fighting - both as an athlete and legislator for the people.

"There are many problems in my province, many people who need help and one by one, we will decide what to do to help them," Pacquiao said at a grand celebration in his southern hometown of General Santos this week.

"I am happy that I won and that people voted for me but it is also a great responsibility and so I must help my countrymen," said Pacquiao, who grew up dirt poor in the south until boxing brought him world fame.

"My agenda is livelihood programmes, education, healthcare and medical assistance. I am thinking of all kinds of bills to pass in Congress."

The party, at a convention centre attended by more than 1,000 people, marked the 61st birthday of his mother, Dionisia, and his landslide victory in last week's national elections.

Pacquiao said he was confident of balancing the demands of being a champion boxer and a legislator.

"It just needs discipline. You just need time management."

Pacquiao also said he would continue making commercial endorsements, a practice that helped make him the world's sixth highest paid athlete last year with earnings of 40 million dollars, according to Forbes magazine.

But asked what his priority would be among his many occupations, Pacquiao said: "For now, I will focus on service."

Pacquiao has long dreamed of a political career, saying he is driven by a fierce desire to help the poor and that public office would be his way of paying society back for the support Filipinos have given him.

Pacquiao is regarded as a national treasure in the impoverished Philippines, where even Muslim extremists and soldiers silence their guns during his fights.

Immediately after his victory in the elections was confirmed last weekend, Pacquiao said he would give in to his mother's wishes and fight just one more time - in a long-awaited bout with 33-year-old American Floyd Mayweather.

However, Pacquiao hinted that he may still have some more fights left in him after a potential Mayweather bout.

"My mother gave me one more fight. I respect my mama but it is up to me whether to continue boxing or not," he said.