MANILA, Philippines (AP) " Boxing great Manny Pacquiao was proclaimed Thursday as a winner of a Philippine Senate seat, bringing him closer to a possible crack at the presidency. The Filipino slugger garnered more than 16 million votes, landing 7th among 12 new members of the Senate, a traditional springboard to the presidency. Asked by The Associated Press if his next target is the presidency, Pacquiao smiled, then said, "Nothing, nothing, nothing" as he rode into his black Cadillac SUV after his proclamation. Pacquiao's Senate victory is the latest chapter in his stunning rags-to-riches story. Pacquiao ran for the Senate under the ticket of losing presidential candidate Jejomar Binay, but also was endorsed by Duterte.

Source: New Zealand Herald May 19, 2016 00:40 UTC