Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao makes a second try at beating a scion of another political clan in his newest attempt to win a seat in the House of Representatives but Filipinos appear to be more interested in a planned boxing match with Floyd Mayweather.

Pacquiao first ran for congressman of the first district of South Cotabato and General Santos City in the 2007 elections under the ruling party of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. 

But reelectionist Darlene Antonino Custodio, an opposition leader in the House, handily defeated Pacquiao with a margin of around 30,000 votes.

In the run-up Pacquiao to next year’s elections, Pacquiao moved his residence and voter registration to nearby Sarangani province. 

Himself the leader of the local political party People’s Champ Movement, Pacquiao has aligned this year with the Nacionalista Party, making him the official NP congressional candidate for Saranggani.

By signing up with NP, he effectively shut the door to being the candidate of President Arroyo’s ruling party, the Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats. Pacquiao is said to be close and loyal to President Arroyo and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. Lito Atienza, former Manila mayor and current environment secretary, is one of his prominent supporters.  Atienza and Mr. Arroyo usually attend Pacquiao’s bouts outside of the country.

In 2010, Pacquiao faces yet another scion of the Chiongbian political clan whose patriarch, the late Congressman Chiongbian, is credited for carving and fathering Sarangani province out of nearby provinces.

The Chiongbians in fact have told media that they are unfazed by Pacquiao’s candidacy.

Roy Chiongbian, the brother of incumbent Sarangani Congressman Erwin Chiongbian, will fight Pacquiao in the elections.Priscilla Chiongbian, the mother of Roy and Erwin, is a former governor of the province.

Pundits and analysts in the sports and political worlds cannot say whether Pacquiao can win in the 2010 elections, as he again tries his luck against another well-entrenched political dynasty.

One thing is for sure, Filipinos are more excited in yet another looming fight of the People’s champion: The Pacquiao bout with Floyd Mayweather which may happen in March.