Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s victory last Sunday (Saturday in the United States) over Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto is a unifying factor for the entire nation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director general Undersecretary Dionisio R. Santiago said.

Pacquiao beat Cotto after 12 rounds in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) to snatch the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title.

“The recent spectacular victory of Philippine boxing icon and pound-for-pound king Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao once again proved to be a unifying factor for the Filipino people,” Santiago said during Monday’s flag raising ceremony at the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City.

Pacquiao appeared as a celebrity endorser of the Agency’s info-mercial and advocacy material against illegal drugs entitled “Laban Kontra Droga”, which was produced in 2006.

The PDEA Chief said: “Amid the recent series of calamities and unfortunate events, we have something to be proud of as Filipinos. This can be duplicated in terms of the anti-drug campaign. If every Filipino would emulate his (Pacquiao’s) example and make an effort to support the war on illegal drugs, it results in a team effort to do something good for the country.”

Santiago also reminded PDEA Key Officials and personnel that the citizens expect much from the Agency as the country’s lead anti-drug organization. He encouraged everyone to remain steadfast and to uphold the Agency’s core values at all times.

“PDEA has achieved the image and status of being an elite unit. And with this comes the price of heightened expectations. We will leave no quarter for errors because the Filipino people are counting on us to be their guardians against the drug menace”, the PDEA Chief concluded.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao is bracing for two big battles in 2010: a congressional bid and a possible fight against former pound-for-pound champ Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Pacquiao said over ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda on Tuesday morning that he is bent on running for a seat in Congress in 2010.

The boxing great, however, did not reveal if he will run for congressman of South Cotabato, where he lost in 2007 to Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio.

There were reports that Pacquiao is planning to run for congressman in Sarangani province. He is also reportedly being courted to run in Quezon City.

Pacquiao is scheduled to return to the Philippines on Friday. He said he will stay for a while in Manila before returning to his home in General Santos City.

The boxer said he would take a vacation until early next year before entering into another fight deal, possibly with the camp of Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Asked to pick between Juan Manuel Marquez and Mayweather Jr., he said he would prefer to fight the still undefeated Mayweather. (PNA)V3/JCA