Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao reportedly has confirmed he would have been able to run for president in 2022.
The 42-year-old man announced his decision a few weeks after his last professional fight, an August 22 loss in Las Vegas to Cuban Yordenis Ugas.
Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao has confirmed his candidacy for next year’s presidential election in the Philippines after months of speculation. (Source:www.pinterest.com)
“I am a fighter and I will always be a fighter inside and outside the ring. I am accepting your nomination as candidate for president of the Republic of the Phillipines.” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao joineed politics in 2010, when he was elected deputy, before becoming a senator in 2016. He has sometimes sparked controversy by his statements in favor of the death penalty or hostile to homosexuality.
But he is deeply popular in his country, where his generosity and his path to success as he was born into extreme poverty are deeply admired.
Current president Rodrigo Duterte has announced himself a candidate for the country’s vice-presidency in order to continue his “crusade” against drugs and the rebels. In the Philippines, the president and vice-president are elected separately.
While waiting for other possible candidates, including one, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, would be supported by Mr. Duterte, Pacquiao has already promised to spare no efforts, starting by sending “hundreds or thousands” of crooked politicians in a purpose-built mega-prison.
“To all those who ask me what my skills and abilities are, have you ever suffered from hunger? Do you know what it’s like to have nothing to eat, to have to borrow money from your neighbours, or to wait to collect leftovers from a restaurant? Manny Pacquiao in front of you was shaped by poverty.” Pacquiao said.
