By John F. McKenna (McJack): Manny Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee was instrumental in a drastic change in his lifestyle after his narrow and controversial victory over WBO/WBA lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (53-6-1, 39 KO’s) in November. The changes came about at the insistence of Jinkee who, among other things, is concerned about Manny’s public image.

Manny is famous in the Philippines for his late night partying and sleeping late into the afternoon. Jinkee was behind the changes which now include Pacquiao rising early in the morning and his involvement in various political, social and religious events.

Pacquiao, who is a congressman in Sarangani Province, has recently come under increasing fire for missing numerous congressional sessions. Manny was absent for 32 of 59 congressional sessions in 2011, with official notice given for only 21 of his 32 absences.

Pacquiao has made changes in other ways as well which include the selling of a farm he had which he used for the purpose of raising chickens for cockfights. Manny allegedly gambled heavily on the cockfights, a practice that is largely frowned upon in the civilized world. With Manny’s emergence as a political figure and his ever increasing endorsement deals it is likely that Jinkee wants to protect him from the fallout of negative media attention.

Manny Pacquiao currently has one of the highest profiles of any athlete in sports and enjoys a favorable public image around the globe. The fallout that could be engendered by some of his outside of the ring activities could affect not only his future political career but the millions of dollars he receives in endorsement deals as well.

Pacquiao recently turned 33 and is at an age where late night partying and outside activities adversely affect any athletes performance, more so of a fighters who is considered to be by The Ring as the top Pound for Pound fighter in the world.

Pacquiao is looked upon by his fellow Filipinos as a hero and his popularity over the past couple of years has gone word wide. Pacman is currently meeting with Top Rank CEO Bob Arum and adviser Michael Koncz in an effort to map out strategy as to who he will fight in 2012. On Thursday Pacquiao held a press conference along with Arum. Pacquiao stated at the press conference that he would be available in late May to fight his arch rival WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 26 KO’s). Mayweather must report to the Clark County Detention Center for domestic violence on June 1.