The camp of former Senator Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday has denied speculations that he is poised to run for Manila City mayor in the 2025 elections.

In a message to Politiko, General Santos City Administrator Franklin Gacal, Jr. revealed the planned senatorial bid of the boxing icon.

“That’s fake news. Senator ang laban niya,” Gacal said.

“MP is a sure winner in the senate race. There’s no cogent reason why he will dip his fingers in Manila,” he added.

Earlier, presidential sister and Senator Imee Marcos has also quashed speculations that she is eyeing to run as Manila mayor next year.

Former senator Manny Pacquiao will attempt to stage a comeback to the Senate in 2025 as part of the Marcos administration’s slate, he confirmed Friday (May 10).

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. introduced Pacquiao as “magbabalik na senador” when he acknowledged the eight-division world boxing champ at the distribution of financial aid to fisherfolk and farmers in General Santos City.

After the event, Pacquiao confirmed to reporters that he will again seek a Senate seat. Asked which party he will run under, the boxing icon said, “PFP,” referring to Marcos’ Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.

Pacquiao ran for president in 2022 but lost, placing third with 3.6 million votes. In the previous elections, he was part of the splinter group of PDP-Laban which separated from the bloc allied with then-President Rodrigo Duterte.