A Filipino boxer aspires to the presidency of his country
Manny Pacquiao.
From the source
Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao is seeking to run for president of the Philippines next year, as Pacquiao is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, and the only man to hold world titles in eight categories.
Pacquiao agreed to the nomination of his political allies during the National Assembly of his faction in the ruling Democratic Party (People's Power Party), and his nomination comes days after the nomination of Philippine Vice President Christopher Bong Gu, as a presidential candidate, by another rival faction in the same party.
The same faction also nominated Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for vice president, a move critics called a cynical ploy by Duterte to retain power, as the constitution prohibits Duterte from running for a second six-year term as president.
“I am a fighter and always will be a fighter in and out of the ring,” Pacquiao, the 42-year-old senator, said in a speech broadcast live during the rally.
And he goes on: I accept your candidacy for the presidency of the Republic of the Philippines.
Pacquiao's faction has not expressed support for Duterte's running for vice president.
Despite his popularity, Pacquiao lags behind the top leaders in opinion polls, including Duterte's daughter, Sarah Duterte-Carpio.
In July, a vote was taken to remove Pacquiao from the leadership of the People's Power Party, weeks after he challenged Duterte over his anti-corruption record, but his faction refused to remove him from the party.
Pacquiao, who was once a close ally of Duterte, said more than 10 billion pesos (£145m) in pandemic aid earmarked for poor families has been squandered.
His anti-corruption campaign comes as the Senate has opened an investigation into allegations that medical supplies and equipment purchased under the government's epidemic program were overpriced.
Duterte challenged Pacquiao to name corrupt government offices, and Pacquiao warned him not to go to prison for corruption.
mocking him at the end of his warning: Your turn is over.
• Despite his popularity, Pacquiao lags behind the top leaders in opinion polls, including Duterte's daughter, Sarah Duterte-Carpio.
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