From the ring to the government palace: Manny Pacquiao announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Philippines

Boxer Manny Pacquiao officially announced this Sunday that He will run in the 2022 Philippine presidential elections for the left-wing Philippine Democratic Party-People’s Power (PDP-Laba), promising to govern with “integrity, compassion and transparency.”

“I am a fighter and I will always be a fighter inside and outside the ring,” Pacquiao said at his party’s national convention held in Quezon City, where his appointment was made official after receiving the support of around twenty regional leaders.

“In my life I have never regressed in combat, for principles, for the honor of the people. I got up, I got up and I fought, ”he added, according to the Philippine TV channel ABS-CBN.

Pacquiao highlighted his experience and closeness to the poorest Filipinos as some of the qualities that would make him a good president.

“Those who wonder about our abilities, have you ever been hungry? Without food? Borrow from a neighbor or wait for leftovers in the cafeteria? “Argued.” You know the feeling of a Filipino fighting boxing? Beating a bigger, stronger opponent to buy food? ” “Are they aware of the difficulties you have been through and do they know how tired you are?” He added.

The boxer, very popular for his twelve titles in eight different boxing categories, promised to fight against poverty and corruption and warned that the population “has waited too long to see progress”. “It is time for the oppressed to win. It is time for our people, who have fallen into poverty, to recover, ”he said.

The PDP is divided between those who are loyal to Pacquiao and those who are loyal to the current Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte, after the harsh confrontation between the two factions. In fact, in Pacquiao’s acts, the traditional party emblem with a pentagon and a hand extended in front of what is known as “Duterte’s fist” was recovered.

Pacquiao began his political career in 2010 as an MP for Saranggani Province. After two terms, he ran and won a Senate seat in 2016.

FIGHT WITH DUTERTY

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Manny Pacquiao, who were former allies, they meet clashed for control of the ruling Philippines party, which is organizing presidential elections next year.

The Pacquiao-loyal faction within the ruling Philippine Democratic People’s Power Party (PDP LABAN) replaced Duterte at the head of the party at the end of August and ousted three of his allies in a decision rejected by the rival sector. , who called it a “comedy”.

The party split can be seen on the internet, where his website still keeps Duterte’s photo as leader (chairman), while the party’s social media is in Pacquiao’s hands.

“PDP LABAN appoints Senator Koko Pimentel as head of the National Council (of the party)”, one can read in the profile of the formation on Facebook.

The party’s Twitter account shared a post supporting Pacquiao as the next presidential candidate in elections slated for May.

PDP LABAN Secretary General Melvin Matibag on Duterte’s side said “Senator Koko Pimentel has no post at PDP LABAN. He is irrelevant and does not represent the party ”.

In this direction, He stressed that “President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is the chairman of the PDP LABAN party. It is now and will continue to be, ”according to a statement quoted by the Philippine Philippine News Agency.

(with information from EP and EFE)

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