The Commission on Elections on Tuesday said Pacquiao was ahead in the count in the southern province of Sarangani, where only about half of 300,000 registered voters cast ballots Monday due to a daylong downpour.

Election official Michael Abas says figures will be released later Tuesday.

But partial and unofficial election returns posted on GMANews.TV's election quick count showed Pacquiao with 71,476 votes with. His opponent, 61-year-old Roy Chiongbian who is from a politically powerful family, trailed with 34,331 votes.

The boxer is seeking to join other Filipino celebrities and former athletes who have won seats in the House of Representatives in the past two decades.

The 31-year-old Pacquiao is considered the world's best pound-for-pound boxer. His popularity in the Philippines includes a side career as a singer and actor.