Manny Pacquiao's wife to run for vice governor in 2013 elections

Manny Pacquiao smiles alongside wife Jinkee after the husband and wife filed their respective Certificates of Candidacy for next year's midterm elections. (AP)

Watch out, Bill and Hillary: Jinkee Pacquiao is joining her husband in the political arena.

The 33-year-old wife of Manny Pacquiao, an eight-division boxing champion and Filipino congressman, announced her intent to run for vice governor in Sarangani province, the Philippine Starreported Tuesday.

The announcement came as a surprise, considering she'd never previously expressed interest in running for public office. But Jinkee told several Filipino media outlets Tuesday that her goal was to assist her husband's public service projects.

Jinkee will be campaigning alongside incumbent Saragani vice governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, who is now running for a gubernatorial post.

The election will be held on May 13, 2013.

Both husband and wife filed their certificates of candidacy Tuesday at the provincial capitol. The formality marked Manny's last official political duty before opening an eight-week training camp for his Dec. 8 fight with Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

-- Bryan Armen Graham