MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – A little less than a year ago, while campaigning for a Senate seat in the Philippines, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao said he will give his full focus and will not be absent should he win in the 2016 elections.

”Kaya po ako natagalan magdesisyon is because of that. Kapag magdecide ako – although nag-decide na nga ako – ang inisip ko, kapag pumasok ako kailangan seryoso, walang absent, palaging papasok, dahil buong bansa ang responsibilidad mo,” the boxing champ said in one interview. (The reason it took me so long to decide [to run], I thought, if I entered the race, I needed to be serious, no absences, always reporting for work, because the entire nation is my responsibility.)

Well, it’s 2016 and Pacquiao — the number one absentee while he was a congressman — is now an elected senator. And guess what?

Boxing promoter Bob Arum has confirmed that Pacquiao has decided to face WBO junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford in the ring.  Arum said Crawford is deemed to be a “high risk-low reward” for Pacquiao but the senator is willing to give the American champion a chance.

The Adobo  Chronicles chanced upon Pacquiao while jogging around Luneta (Rizal) Park this morning.  We asked him about his promise to the voters that he would focus on his senatorial duties.

His response: “I was just kidding.”