Pacquiao on death penalty: It's in the Bible

MANILA, Philippines – Newly-proclaimed Senator-elect Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao made it to his first press conference as Upper House legislator and said he is in favor of death penalty.

Speaking to the media shortly after his proclamation Thursday at the PICC, Pacquiao said that the capital punishment is actually based on the Bible.

"Sa Romans 13, basahin natin 'yang one to seven. Malalaman natin 'yan." he said. "Hindi naman ang presidente ang maghahatol niyan, kun'di ang government."

"Sa mata ng Panginoon, hindi bawal 'yan," Pacquiao added.

Sen. Manny Pacquiao is asked, "What is your first bill?" #BilangPilipino @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/bSlDUcoTsY

— Pat Viray (@patriciaviray) May 19, 2016

Pacquiao also wanted to push for better education for Filipinos.

"Dapat may programa ang gobyerno para hindi maging hadlang ang kahirapan sa pagaaral," he said. "Alam niyo dito sa bansa natin, maraming pamilya ang 'di makapag-paaral sa kanilang mga anak."

The world-renowned boxer first forayed into politics as a representative for Sarangani. His stint as a legislator was hounded by his absences. In 2014, his absences hit notorious levels after being only able to show up for work four times. 

In his first term that spanned from 2010 to 2013, he only appeared in 98 times in the Congress's 168 working days.

Pacquiao's best moment as a legislator came in a speech against human trafficking. But that was swiftly negated when he was put under the spotlight during a lengthy discussion of the Reproductive Health Bill.

Earlier this year, Pacquiao's chances in the senatorial race were believed to dim after his scathing remarks that targeted the members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) community—which also drew flak on social media.

But even after the comments, Pacquiao still managed to secure 16,050,546 votes, propelling him to seventh place in the "Magic 12" candidates who made the cut.

Pacquiao ranked ahead of tested politicians former Sen. Francis Pangilinan, former Rep. Risa Hontiveros and former Sen. Ralph Recto. 

Asked if his absences will continue to plague his career as a politician, Pacquiao noted that he won't make any promises.

"As a Christian, hindi dapat tama yung mangako ka ... For example, nangako kang perfect attendance. Then let's say nagka-sakit ka, hindi mo na matutupad yung pangako mo," he explained.

"Hindi ko po kayo ipapahiya," Pacquiao said.