A stalwart of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD on Tuesday advised Manny Pacquiao to abandon his plan to enter the “dirty world” of politics as Speaker Prospero Nograles admitted that the ruling party is torn between the boxing superstar and the Chiongbians.

Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., the administration party’s chairman in the Calabarzon region, said it would be better if Pacquiao will stay away from politics and just plan for his retirement from boxing and on how to prevent his legacy from being tarnished.

“He should distance himself from politics and live a legacy instead of going to the dirty world of politics,” Barzaga said.

“What else he wants to prove? He has been a great Filipino and great boxer in his generation,” he added.

Nograles, on the other hand, said the ruling party would have been happy to have Pacquiao as candidate in the congressional race in Sarangani but it has already endorsed the candidacy of businessman Roy Chiongbian, brother of third-termer Saranggani Rep. Erwin Chiongbian.

Because of this, Pacquiao, founder of the newly-formed party People’s Champ Movement, was reportedly eyeing a coalition with the Nacionalista Party of Sen. Manuel Villar.

The Speaker admitted that a coalition with Pacquiao’s party could boost the chances of administration standard-bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. in the May elections.