Manny Pacquiao will be running for president of the country in the upcoming 2022 elections.
The world’s only eight-division boxing champion has accepted the nomination of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) to run for president on Sunday.
“I am a fighter, and I will always be a fighter inside and outside the ring,” he said during the general assembly of the party.
“Sa ngalan ng mga kababayan natin na matagal nang naghahangad ng tamang pagbabago sa ating pamahalaan, tapat na panunungkulan at serbisyo sa mamamayang Pilipino, buong puso ko po, buong tapang at kababaang loob ay umaasa po ako sa inyong suporta.”
Last month, Pacquiao, who was coming off a loss to Yordenis Ugás, said that he is pondering his future in boxing.
The 42-year-old expressed that it is his mission to serve the people.
Photo by Scott Kirkland/Fox Sports/PictureGroup
“As long as I live in this world, I want to leave a legacy — not only as a boxer but also as an inspiration to everybody,” he said. “I am not talking in a politician way but I am a public servant. I want to help people. Even my own money, I give to people. That’s my mission.
“For me, you cannot bring material possessions to the grave. When our life is finished in this world, we cannot take anything. We came into this world naked and we will depart naked. In this sport, this is my passion. That is why I keep on fighting at the age of 42,” he continued.
“I am enjoying it but sometimes, you have to think about the response of your body.”
Meanwhile, PDP-Laban’s other faction headed by Alfonso Cusi filed a petition before the Commission on Elections to declare Pacquiao and his group as “illegitimate officers.”
“Your time is up! We gave you a chance, but you failed us. We waited for a long time, decades have passed, but nothing happened,” said Pacquiao.
It is still not known whether Pacquiao will push through with his “farewell” bout which his camp is pencilling in either on December or early next year.
