By BEN R. ROSARIO

Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao has been ranked by Forbes magazine as 57th among the 100 most powerful celebrities in the world today, putting him just eight notches below US President Barack Obama who was ranked no. 49.

Pacquiao’s name was placed in the magazine’s so-called Celebrity 100 which also saw popular actress Angelina Jolie bumping off top television host Oprah Winfrey at no. 1, a position that became the latter’s home for several years in the past.

The list of most powerful international personalities is a “measure of power based on money and fame”, Forbes.com declared in its June 8 website.

At no. 57, Pacquiao was deemed more powerful and popular than Boston Celtics power forward Kevin Garnet, no. 62; Nascar racer Jeff Gordon, no. 63 and tennis stars Serena Williams (67) , Maria Sharapova (76); Venus Williams (77) and Ana Ivanovic (90).

First woman Indy car race champion Danica Patrick was placed at no. 100.

Pacquiao was described by the website as being “widely regarded at the best pound-for-pound” who had two blockbuster fights which he both won. He TKO’d Oscar de la Hoya last year and against British boxer Ricky Hatton in May.

Pacquiao’s reported plans to run for congressman next year was also cited by the magazine.

Making up the top ten aside from Jolie and Winfrey are singers Madonna and Beyonce Knowles, golf genius Tiger Woods, US pop idol Bruce Springsteen, award-winning director Steven Spielberg, actress Jennifer Aniston, Jolie’s husband, actor Brad pitt and Los Angeles Lakers star cager Kobe Bryant.

In terms of earnings in millions of dollars, Pacquiao’s ranked no. 40 among the 100 celebrities.

Those who ranked higher in the list among the sports stars are retired Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan (18), National Basketball Association MVP Lebron James of Cleveland Cavaliers (19) , recently-crowned French Open tennis champion Roger Federer (27); famous British soccer player David Beckham (33); golfer Phil Mickelson (36) Formula 1 topnotch earner Kimi Raikonnen; and Brazilian soccer idol Ronaldinho (55).

Pacquiao’s political plans have been announced recently by no less than the Chiongbian’s , the political kingpins in Sarangani province in Mindanao.

It is believed that the Chiongbian family, headed by Rep. Erwin Chiongbian, will no longer field a candidate to run against the boxing icon.

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