Aspiring rapper Michael Pacquiao, son of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, is set to enter the political arena, following in his father’s footsteps. The 22-year-old will run for a seat on the General Santos City council in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.
Franklin Gacal, a candidate for the People’s Champ Movement (PCM) city council, confirmed the development, stating that Michael Pacquiao would replace Shandee Theresa Llido-Pestaño as one of the party’s candidates for the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
“Michael Pacquiao will replace Shandee Llido to give the youth sector a voice in the next SP,” Gacal said in a statement to Snitch Media.
Llido-Pestaño, in a Facebook post, shared her reasons for withdrawing her candidacy. She expressed gratitude for the confidence the party had in her but explained that her decision stemmed from a desire to focus on her role as City Administrator, working closely with incumbent Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao.
“With a grateful heart, I’m honored by the confidence our Party (PCM) has in me. However, I am more inclined to function as a City Administrator instead of running for a council seat in the 2025 Midterm Election,” Llido-Pestaño wrote. She emphasized her commitment to working alongside Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao in managing the city’s affairs.
Michael Pacquiao’s entry into politics comes amid a broader Pacquiao family presence in the 2025 elections. Manny Pacquiao is aiming for a Senate comeback, while his brothers Bobby and Ruel are running as party-list representative and Sarangani governor, respectively. Lorelie Pacquiao, Bobby’s wife, is also seeking a second term as mayor of General Santos City.
The People’s Champ Movement, led by the Pacquiao family, is set to file the certificates of candidacy for its General Santos City candidates on Saturday, October 5, as announced by Gacal.
