Pacquiao, who is set to face former WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley on April 9 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, moved to the U.S. over the weekend after spending time in General Santos City, Philippines with Hall of Fame Trainer Freddie Roach.
Pacquiao’s sudden drop in survey rating last month was brought about by his controversial statement on same-sex marriage which drew widespread criticism from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community and other sectors of society including celebrities here and across the globe.
In a recent TV interview Pacquiao voiced his opposition to same-sex marriage, saying: “If people then engage in male to male, female to female relations, then they are worse than animals.”
In the February survey, Pacquiao was eased out of the Magic 12 winning candidates for the first time since late last year’s survey ratings as a result of his controversial statement which angered some members of the LGBT community.
Pacquiao’s rating in the past surveys has been consistent at 7th -10th place since the last survey conducted by Pulse Asia for ABS-CBN Broadcasting Network last November.
Now, Pacquiao has regained his rating and even moved up to 6-11 from the previous 7-10 ranking.
Former senator Francis Pangilinan topped the list of winning senators in the latest survey followed by incumbent senators Tito Sotto. Franklin Drilon, Panfilo Lacson and Ralph Recto.
