CAVITE CITY, Cavite, Philippines — Cable News Network (CNN) Hero Efren G. Peñaflorida hinted last weekend that he may be open to holding public office if the opportunity presents itself in the future.

Just like world boxing champion and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao did in sports, the 30-year-old Peñaflorida has brought pride and honor to the country by attaining world fame in education and is now the second most popular Filipino civilian in the globe.

As early as now a lot of political kibitzers consider Peñaflorida as a shoo-in for public office in this province.

“I just keep my door open to the option but I prefer not to talk about it now,” Peñaflorida said when interviewed last Sunday at his “Kariton” Building, here, where he operates his Dynamic Team Company (DTC) of street educators.

While he evaded questions on politics, there is no question that Peñaflorida is a well-loved teacher and social worker in this city, especially for attracting street gang members to discover education through his “Kariton Klasrum” (classroom in a cart).

Even after gaining recognition from CNN in 2009, Peñaflorida and his team continue to push the Kariton Klasrum to educate underprivileged children in his hometown and elsewhere in the country.