The Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-list, the only sports party-list accredited by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), hopes to be the voice of Filipino athletes in the Congress if it succeeds in next year’s election.

That was the vow made by the group in a special dinner tendered recently for seven-time world champion Manny Pacquiao in a Manila restaurant.

The reception also served as a send-off for the Filipino athletes who are now competing in the Southeast Asian Games in Vientianne, Laos.

Pacquiao, who helped found the PBA Party-list, won the World Boxing Organization welterweight title by defeating Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico by TKO in the 12th round. The boxing icon has been openly supporting of the cause of Filipino athletes as shown during his training in Baguio where he visited the athletes’ training center several times.