MANILA—World boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao can still win a seat in the House even if he will lose in Saranggani province, Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) former representative said Tuesday.

PBA former Manila representative Miles Roces said, according to a television report, Pacquiao will certainly be a congressman as long as the PBA wins in the party-list race.

“He can still sit as party-list representative. I-eelect lang naman ng board namin si Manny at siya na ang magiging rep namin sa Kongreso (All our board has to do is elect Manny and he becomes our representative in Congress),” Roces said.

However, Commission on Elections Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said that this is a violation of the law.

"Kung wala ka sa listahan ng nominees, hindi ka p'wede. Kung wala ka doon, paano ka makakapasok as nominee? Kung sakaling manalo [ang party-list] at hahabol, ay late na (If you're not included in the list of nominees it's not allowed. If the party-list wins and you'll come in as a late addition, it's too late)," he said.

This will be Pacquiao’s second try to run as congressman after losing from a woman opponent in General Santos in 2007. (Sunnex)