Pacquiao was accompanied by his wife Jinkee and two sons. Also joining him is former Congressman and Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson.
Pacquiao is running under opposition party United Nationalist Aliance (UNA).
In his short platform speech, Pacquiao said he will serve as the “fist of the poor” in the senate in their fight against poverty.
Among others, Pacquiao said he will work for free public college education, champion the cause of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), work on the resolution of peace and order in Mindanao and promote the welfare of farmers.
On sports, Pacquiao said he will promote sports in the countryside with the aim of developing sports to make the country a force to reckon with in the field of sports.
Before the filing of his candidacy, Pacquiao said he will craft a law requiring Filipino athletes to play for national teams or to represent the country if requested in the Olympic games or major international and regional competitions.
Pacquiao cited the cases of Jun Mar Fajardo, L.A. Tenorio and Paul Lee, among others who did not play in the recent Gilas FIBA Asia Championship.
“Filipino athletes who refuse to play for the national team do not deserve to be called Filipinos,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao has just arrived from the U.S. where he was honored by the Asia Society as “2015 Game Changer of the Year” awardee at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Earlier, Pacquiao said he will retire from boxing if he wins a senate seat in the upcoming senatorial elections.
