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Manny Pacquiao To Run for Philippines President in 2022

Boxing star Manny Pacquiao will run for president of the Philippines next year, after railing against corruption in government and what he calls President Rodrigo Duterte’s cozy relationship with China.

Pacquiao accepted the nomination of his political allies in the national assembly after the rival faction nominated Duterte’s long-time aide, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go as their presidential candidate.

Senator Go declined the nomination, but the rift between the Pacquiao and Duterte factions has escalated.

“I am a fighter, and I will always be a fighter inside and outside the ring,” Pacquiao, said in a live-streamed speech during the assembly. “I am accepting your nomination as candidate for president of the Republic of the Philippines.”

Pacquiao’s faction does not support Duerte’s vice-presidential run as he is prohibited from running for a second six-year presidential mandate by the Philippines constitution.

Pacquiao is a living legend and the greatest sports hero in his native Philippines but despite his popularity, he trails the front-runners in opinion surveys that have been topped consistently by Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio.

In July, Pacquiao was voted out as PDP-Laban leader, weeks after challenging Duterte over his position on China and record on fighting corruption, but his ouster was rejected by his faction.

Pacquiao, who used to be a close ally and huge supporter of Duterte, had said more than 10 billion pesos ($200 million) in pandemic aid intended for poor families was unaccounted for, adding this was only one discovery in his planned corruption investigation.

Pacquiao’s anti-corruption efforts come as the Senate has opened an investigation into alleged overpricing of medical supplies and equipment purchased under the government’s pandemic response program.

As a boxer, Pacquiao won world titles in an unprecedented eight different weight divisions. He has a record of 62 wins, 8 losses and 2 draws.