Legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao launches bid for Philippine presidency
Boxing star Manny Pacquiao says he will run for president of the Philippines next year after railing against corruption in government and what he calls President Rodrigo Duterte’s cosy relationship with China.
Pacquiao, currently a senator, was nominated on Sunday by his PDP-Laban party allies during the group’s national assembly, days after a rival faction nominated Duterte as its choice for vice president and his longtime aide, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, as the party’s presidential candidate.
The 42-year-old presents a potential obstacle to Duterte’s succession plans as the race for the top post takes shape.
His presidential bid is seen by analysts as a threat to Duterte’s candidate in 2022, as the boxer could split the vote on the southern island that both come from, opening the door for opposition figures.
A rift between the Pacquiao and Duterte factions has since escalated. The senator ranked fifth among 15 possible presidential candidates in a June survey by Pulse Asia.
Pacquiao’s faction has not expressed support for Duterte’s vice presidential bid. Duterte is prohibited by the constitution from running for a second six-year term as president.
The eight-division world boxing champion and beloved national hero made the announcement weeks after losing what could be his last professional fight against Cuban Yordenis Ugas in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao was among the world’s highest-paid athletes in 2019, according to Forbes.
The Filipino boxer has been a senator since 2016 and also served as a congressman. He was once a loyal ally to Duterte, defending the president’s deadly drug war and death penalty push.
Pacquiao has criticised the administration for alleged corruption and its South China Sea stance amid a split in the governing party.
