Who is Manny Pacquiao?

The incumbent Rodrigo Duterte is excluded from another term but was chosen by a faction of the rival party to run for vice-president.

Previously seen as a spearhead for the highest office, Pacquiao entered the presidential race as an underdog after a falling out with President Rodrigo Duterte, which dumped the athlete-turned-senator as his party’s candidate. in favor of a closer ally.

One of the greatest boxers of all time and the only man to hold world titles in eight divisions, Pacquiao accepted the nomination of his political allies at the national assembly of the faction he leads in the party in the PDP-Laban power, a few days after a rival faction. has appointed Duterte’s longtime aide Christopher “Bong” Go as his presidential candidate.

“I am a fighter and I will always be a fighter inside and outside the ring,” Pacquiao said in a speech broadcast live during assembly. “I accept your nomination as the presidential candidate of the Republic of the Philippines.”

So how did it all start for Pacquiao?

Pacquiao was born in Kibawe, Bukidnon and raised in General Santos, Philippines. At the age of 14, Pacquiao moved to Manila and lived on the streets, worked as a construction worker, and had to choose between enduring hunger or sending money to his mother.

“To those who wonder about my abilities: have you ever been hungry? Have you ever run out of food on the table and begged the neighbors or waited for leftovers in a restaurant? Pacquiao asked. Manny Pacquiao has an amateur record of 60-4 and a 62-7-2 record as a professional, with 39 wins by knockout. Boxing historian Bert Sugar has ranked Pacquiao as the greatest southpaw fighter of all time. In 2020, Pacquiao topped the Ranker’s list of the best boxers of the 21st century.

Pacquiao made history by being the first boxer to win world titles in eight weight divisions, having won twelve major world titles, as well as being the first boxer to win the linear championship in five different weight categories. He is also the first boxer to win major world titles in four of boxing’s original eight weight classes, also known as the “glamor divisions” – flyweight, featherweight, lightweight and welterweight – and the first boxer to become a boxer for four decades. world champion – winning world championships over four decades, from 1990 to 2020.

In one of his most iconic interviews with China Daily, he said, “Many of you know me as a legendary boxer, and I’m proud of it. However, this journey has not always been easy. When I was younger I became a fighter because I had to survive. I had nothing. I had no one to rely on except myself. I realized that boxing was something that I was good at, and I trained hard so that I could keep myself and my family alive.

During his career, he defeated 22 world champions and was the oldest active boxer in the top ten on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list from November 2003 to April 2016.

Pacquiao has said he plans to retire from professional boxing following a loss in his last fight against a Cuban opponent.

Manny Pacquiao speaks at a national convention for his PDP-Laban party in Quezon City, Philippines on Sunday, September 19, 2021. (Manny Pacquiao MediaComms via AP)

How his political career began

In 2007, Pacquiao announced his campaign for a seat in the Philippine House of Representatives to represent the 1st District of South Cotabato Province as the Liberal Party faction candidate under Manila Mayor Lito Atienza. He was, however, beaten by the outgoing representative. Again in 2009, Pacquiao announced that he would run again for a seat in Congress, but this time in Sarangani province. In May 2010, he was elected to the House of Representatives at the 15th Philippine Congress and was re-elected again in 2013.

On October 5, 2015, Pacquiao officially declared that he was running for the legislative elections of Vice President Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance Party. On May 19, 2016, Pacquiao was officially elected senator by the Election Commission. Pacquiao garnered more than 16 million votes, ranking 7th among 12 new Senate members.

In his early days as a senator, he notably aligned himself with the Duterte government. He supported Duterte in the worst controversies and became their party president last year. Duterte even once called Pacquiao “the next president of the Philippines,” and it was widely expected that he would become the administration’s bet when Duterte’s only six-year term ends in 2022.

However, his relationship with Duterte took a hit when he said the president’s response to China’s claims in the South China Sea was lacking. Pacquiao has denounced the Duterte administration, currently mired in a corruption scandal over millions of dollars in allegedly overpriced and illegal purchases of medical supplies for the pandemic.

Eventually, Pacquiao lost his post as chairman of the PDP-Laban party on July 17 to Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi after the latter’s faction called for a vote.

Manny Pacquiao watches from his corner during a boxing match in 2018 (Reuters Photo: Lai Seng Sin)

What are the prospects for Pacquiao?

Pacquiao has built his campaign around his personality and that puts him in the same league as mainstream politicians, undermining his promise to bring about change. His narrative could also distract voters from his less than brilliant performance as a lawmaker and his lack of experience in a leadership position. Critics also point to a series of comments that could divide voters. Citing his evangelical Christian faith, Pacquiao pleaded for the death penalty, opposed divorce and equal marriage, and made homophobic remarks.

However, the question remains: does Pacquiao have the strength in him to win the presidential elections? Although opinion polls show most households include him among the personalities Filipinos are considering for the presidency, he is far behind the favorites. The polls were regularly dominated by Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio.

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