Pacquiao returns a hero in Manila, gears for new fight

MANILA (Reuters) - Seven-time world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao returned to a hero's welcome in the Philippines on Friday, with his next fight likely to be in the political ring as he prepares to run for Congress in next May's elections.

Pacquiao, widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, has set his eyes on a seat in the lower house of Congress, a battle he lost in 2007 when he first attempted to climb into the political arena.

"One of these days, I will file my certificate of candidacy," Pacquiao told reporters at the Manila airport upon his arrival from Los Angeles, California.

"For now, I will take a vacation and rest. Just to be with my family is a big thing. And I will relax and let my swollen ear heal."

Pacquiao later went on a motorcade around Manila on top of a truck, waving to fans and throwing T-shirts to crowds lining the streets.

About 48 million Filipinos will choose a president, vice president, nearly 300 lawmakers in the two-chamber Congress and more than 17,500 local government positions in the country's first nationwide automated elections on May 10.

Although candidates have until Dec. 1 to file their certificates, the actual campaign will only begin in February for those seeking national positions and March for local posts.

"The reason I am running for Congress is that my town needs somebody who can bring in more economic opportunities for my people," Pacquiao, who won the WBO welterweight crown by stopping Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas last weekend, told reporters earlier.

"Because I am fortunate enough to be famous, perhaps as a congressman I can attract bigger businesses to our area and provide us more revenues."