Sun 19 September 2021:
Manny Pacquiao, a Filipino boxing legend and politician, has announced that he will run for president in the 2022 elections.
On Sunday, Pacquiao accepted his PDP-Laban party’s candidacy at its national convention, saying that the Filipino people had been longing for a change of administration.
“I am a fighter, and I will always be a fighter inside and outside the ring,” Pacquiao, 42, said in his speech.
“I wholeheartedly, bravely, and humbly hope for your support,” he added.
Pacquiao is the leader of the PDP-Laban party, which he co-founded with Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.
Another section of the same party chose President Rodrigo Duterte as its vice presidential candidate earlier this month, and Sen. Bong Go, a longtime ally of Duterte, as its presidential candidate.
Duterte, who is barred from seeking re-election to a second six-year term by the constitution, has accepted the nomination, but Go has declined to run for president.
Duterte, who has led a brutal anti-drug campaign, said last week that he would rather “die first” than face an international tribunal, a day after the International Criminal Court announced it would investigate allegations of crimes against humanity linked to the crackdown, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people.
Pacquiao has accused former ally Duterte’s regime of worsening corruption in the Philippines.
“In my whole life, I have not backed down on any fight,” Pacquiao said.
He warned politicians that he holds responsible for corruption “will soon end in jail together.”
To those who doubt his qualifications, the former boxer has stated that his personal experience with poverty will better prepare him to lead the country. He went on to say that he will combat poverty and corruption.
The rival party faction supporting Duterte earlier said it will petition the Commission on Elections to declare Pacquiao and his allies illegitimate officers of the ruling party.
(Input with Agency)
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