Philippine boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao declared he will run for president in 2022, vowing to tackle poverty and corruption as he seeks to win over voters with his rags-to-riches story.
"The time is now -- we are ready to rise to the challenge of leadership," Pacquiao -- currently a senator -- said Sunday, as he accepted the nomination of a rival faction in President Rodrigo Duterte's ruling party.
Pacquiao's star power in a country famed for its celebrity-obsessed politics will put him in a strong position in the presidential raceThe 42-year-old is deeply admired by many in the archipelago nation for his generosity and hauling himself out of poverty to become one of the world's greatest and wealthiest boxers.
Pacquiao made the announcement weeks after losing what could be his last professional fight, against Yordenis Ugas"Have you ever experienced having nothing to eat, to borrow money from your neighbours or to wait for leftovers at a food stall? The Manny Pacquiao that is in front of you was moulded by poverty."
A public skirmish between Pacquiao and Duterte over the latter's handling of the South China Sea dispute with Beijing and official graft could also erode support for the boxer.AFP/File | Ted ALJIBE Pacquiao would face a formidable opponent if Duterte's daughter, Sara, were to run for president, which she is tipped to do.
"A key watchpoint will be whether most of the anti-Duterte camp falls in behind Pacquiao or whether it splits with multiple different presidential candidates," Mumford said.
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