Boxing Icon Manny Pacquiao to run for president

Philippine boxing legend and Senator Manny Pacquiao announced his candidacy for next year’s presidential elections, presenting a potential obstacle to President Rodrigo Duterte’s succession plans as the race for the top post takes shape.

A faction of the ruling PDP-Laban party nominated Pacquiao on Sunday in a video-streamed national convention. Earlier this month, another camp in the PDP-Laban led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi named Senator Christopher “Bong” Go as its pick for the elections, with Duterte as his running mate.

“I’m a fighter and will always be a fighter, inside and outside of the ring,” Pacquiao said at the event. “All my life, I haven’t backed down from any fight. Nothing is impossible if it’s ordained by God.”

Pacquiao is known in the boxing world for his championships in several weight divisions, and was among the world’s highest-paid athletes in 2019, according to Forbes. In his latest bout last month, the 42-year-old lost to Cuban figher Yordenis Ugás.

He has been in active politics since 2016.