Arum, who holds a promotional contract with Pacquiao until 2017, has been making arrangement for Pacquiao’s ring return and so far he has set the venue and date of the fight but has yet to name his next opponent.
Drilon said he isn’t opposing Pacquiao’s planned ring return but reminded the newly elected senator that he has to make sure it does not get in the way of his work as senator.
“He asked me if he can box. I said ‘there’s nothing to prevent you, but you can do it in a manner that will not interfere with your job as a senator because you will be severely criticized.’ And so I said ‘you can box during the break,” said Drilon in a senate forum on Thursday.
Pacquiao has been severely criticized for his dismal performance and attendance in the lower house where he served for two terms before being elected to the senate last May 9.
“I hold him to his commitment that it will not be at the price of neglecting his duty as a senator. I’d be the first one to criticize him if he does that. But I will support his decision to exercise his profession,” Drilon said.
Pacquiao is expected to face WBO light welterweight champion Terence Crawford, provided he wins his fight on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) against unbeaten Ukrainian Viktor Postol.
Other than Crawford, Arum has named Jessie Vargas, the current WBO welterweight titlist and WBC light welterweight champion Viktor Postol, if he wins over Crawford on Saturday.
