Former professional boxer and former senator Manny Pacquiao on Thursday said he has yet to decide if he will run again as Senator in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.

Pacquiao made the statement after he emerged as Filipinos' senatorial bet in the latest Social Weather Station (SWS) survey commissioned by founder and former representative of LPGMA party list Arnel Ty.

“Sa ngayon kasi 50-50 pa. Wala pa, hindi ko iniisip ‘yung politics. Ine-enjoy ko muna ‘yung pagiging private citizen ko na normal na tao na kapiling ‘yung mga anak ko at asawa ko,” he told reporters in an interview.

Pacquiao added that he is still recuperating the time he lost for his family after years of serving the public as a lawmaker.

“Mag-announce naman ako niyan kapag nakapag-decide ako. We will announce that in proper time kung tuloy o hindi na tatakbo ako. Darating din ‘yung panahon na iyon. Maaga pa naman masyado. Focus muna ako sa trabaho, sa business namin, at sa pamilya,” he noted.

When asked about the names of politicians who he hoped will run for the next election, Pacquiao picked former Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon and former Senator Kiko Pangilinan.

“Marami kang matutunan [kay Drilon] at saka eksperinsyado na,” he said.

“Ano rin iyan, maganda din,” Pacquiao said, referring to Pangilinan.

In the SWS survey for senatorial bets, Pacquiao garnered 4,848 votes which are 7 percent of the total of 26,718 votes.

Senator Ramon 'Bong' Revilla ranked as the second preferred senatorial bet, acquiring 4,066 votes.

He was followed by former Senate President Tito Sotto with 3,386 votes, Senator Christopher Lawrence 'Bong' Go with 3,255 votes, and business tycoon and former Senator Manny Villar with 3,114 votes.