MANILA -- Boxing champ and now senator-elect Manny Pacquiao promised on Thursday to put his full focus on his job in the Senate.

Pacquiao told reporters following his proclamation as senator that dedication enabled him to win eight world titles and he believes he can apply the same discipline in the Senate.

“Napag-isip isip ko na kung nagawa ko ang pagdisiplina sa sarili ko sa career ko kaya na-achieve ko ang na-achieve ko sa boxing, ito pa kaya?” the retired boxer said.

“Kaya kong i-focus ang sarili ko para sa pagbabago ng ating bansa.”

This was apparently in response to critics who questioned his seriousness as a legislator. As a two-term congressman for the lone district of Sarangani, Pacquiao is notorious for always being absent.

But the sports icon vowed that it will be different this time around since he has retired from boxing last April after beating Timothy Bradley Jr. via unanimous decision.

(READ: Pacquiao's Senate victory brings him closer to presidency)

“Pinag-isipan ko talaga bago ako tumakbo (bilang senador). Dahil ang responsibilidad na aking gagampanan ay hindi pang-distrito lamang kundi pang buong sambayanan Pilipino, pang buong bansa,” said Pacquiao.

Despite this, he is not promising full attendance in all Senate sessions.

“As a Christian, hindi tama ang mangako ka. Gagawin ko ang lahat ng ating makakaya,” Pacquiao said.

“For example nangako ka ng perfect attendance ka tapos let's say nagkasakit ka, hindi mo na natupad ang pangako mo... I'm just giving you an example.”

It also remains unclear how the senator-elect will divide his time between his legislative duties and coaching work for PBA team Mahindra Enforcers.

The Enforcers' team manager Eric Pineda earlier said Pacquiao will be more active in his role as the playing coach of Mahindra.

"He will still be the head coach. He has retired from boxing, so he has more time to work with the team," Pineda had said. "He'll be very active sa team."

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