Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has made his intentions known that he will be running for president come next year as the people of Philippine goes to the poll to chose it’s next President.
The eight-division world champion and Senator last Sunday was nominated by by his PDP-Laban party allies to ending months of speculations on when he’ll finally decide to run for the top post in his country.
During the group’s national assembly in Quezon City, he said
“I’m a fighter and will always be a fighter, inside and outside of the ring”
“All my life, I haven’t backed down from any fight. Nothing is impossible if it’s ordained by God.” exclaimed the Pacman
In a tweet yesterday, Manny Pacquiao posted
“I boldly accept the challenge of running as PRESIDENT of the Philippines. We need progress. We need to win against poverty. We need government to serve our people with integrity, compassion and transparency. The time is now. I am ready to rise to the challenge of leadership. 🇵🇭”
This bold decision presents a potential obstacle to President Rodrigo Duterte’s succession plans as the race for the top post takes shape.
The Filipino boxer has been a senator since 2016 and also served as a congressman. He was once a loyal ally to Duterte, defending the president’s deadly drug war and death penalty push.
Recently, however, Pacquiao has criticised the administration for alleged corruption and its South China Sea stance amid a split in the governing party.
“We need progress, we need to win against poverty, we need government to serve our people with integrity, compassion and transparency,” Pacquiao said. “We are fed up with the promises of change.”
The 42 year old Senator drew down the curtains on his legendary boxing career after he lost to the WBA Super World welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas via a unanimous decision last month. With the presidential elections set to take place on 9th May next year, his career as a boxer will be over if he wins the elections.
After his lost to Ugas late last month, he said
“You know, as long as I live in this world,” Pacquiao said, “I want to leave a legacy, not only being a good fighter, but I want to leave a legacy as an inspiration to everybody, like I said, inside and outside the ring. I’m not talking in a politician way, but I am a public servant. I want to help people. Even my own money, I give back to the people. So, that’s my mission.
“I think, for me, material things in this world, you cannot bring that to the grave. I mean, when our lives are finished in this world, we can’t take nothing. We came to this world naked and we will depart naked. Let’s remember that. And in this sport, this is my passion. That’s why I’m here, keep on fighting at age of 42. I’m enjoying it, but you know, sometimes you have to think about the response of your body.”
Having donated enormous amounts of money to charitable causes in the Philippines, the people of Philipines are very likely to give the Senator the mandate to take charge of the nation’s affairs.
By Winfred Siegu Worlanyo Yaw
Credit: Aljazeera
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