Boxer-senator Manny Pacquiao to run for Philippine president

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine boxing icon and legislator Manny Pacquiao says helium volition tally for president successful the 2022 elections.

Pacquiao accepted the information of his PDP-Laban enactment astatine its nationalist normal connected Sunday, saying that the Filipino radical person been waiting for a alteration of government.

“I americium a fighter, and I volition ever beryllium a combatant wrong and extracurricular the ring,” Pacquiao, 42, said successful his speech.

“We request authorities to service our radical with integrity, compassion and transparency,” helium added.

Pacquiao is the president of the PDP-Laban faction led by him and Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

Another faction of the aforesaid enactment earlier this period nominated President Rodrigo Duterte to beryllium its vice statesmanlike candidate, and Duterte’s erstwhile aide, Sen. Bong Go, arsenic its statesmanlike nominee.

Duterte, who is forbidden by the constitution from seeking a 2nd six-year term, has accepted the nomination, but Go has declined to tally for president.

Duterte has led a brutal run against amerciable drugs, and said past week helium would alternatively “die first” earlier facing an planetary tribunal, the time aft the International Criminal Court announced it would analyse allegations of crimes against humanity linked to the crackdown that has near thousands dead.

Pacquiao has accused the medication of Durterte, his erstwhile ally, of making corruption worse successful the Philippines.

To critics who question his qualifications, the celebrated boxer has said his acquisition of idiosyncratic hardships volition amended equip him to recognize people’s suffering — and combat poorness and corruption.

“In my full life, I person not backed down connected immoderate fight,” Pacquiao said.

He warned politicians whom helium holds liable for corruption “will soon extremity successful jailhouse together.”

The rival enactment faction supporting Duterte earlier said it volition petition the Commission connected Elections to state Pacquiao and his allies illegitimate officers of the ruling party.