Manny Pacquiao Announces Presidential Bid, Drops Hot Takes on Corruption and China
In a fiery live‑stream that had fans cheering and sniffing the air, former boxing champ Manny Pacquiao cracked open a new chapter: he’s running for Philippine president next year. “I’m a fighter inside and outside the ring,” the 42‑year‑old senator bellowed during the PDP‑Laban national assembly, accepting the nomination from his own faction.
Who’s Who in the Party Split?
- Pacquiao’s group throws his hat into the ring for the presidential spot.
- A rival faction names former close aide Senator Christopher “Bong” Go as their candidate.
- The same faction lines up Duterte for vice‑presidential duties, a move that some call a sly power play.
Go declined the nomination, but the rift between Pacquiao’s and Duterte’s camps is heating up hotter than a championship bout.
Pacquiao’s “No‑Nonsense” Politics
Despite his boxing legends—he’s the only guy to hold world titles across eight weight classes—Pacquiao has kept the debate personal. He’s shot down from the PDP‑Laban chair in July after sounding off on cheap China ties and the government’s alleged misuse of more than 10 billion pesos in pandemic aid.
Key Controversies
- Missing pandemic funds that were meant for poor families.
- Calls for a Senate probe into overpriced medical supplies.
- Duterte’s retort: name a corrupt office and you’re out of the ring.
- Pacquiao’s reply: “Your time is up!” plus a threat of legal punches.
Polling Reality Check
Even with his heroic reputation, Pacquiao lags behind the front‑liners in polls—most notably Sara Duterte‑Carpio. The boxer‑turned-senator keeps his fighting spirit alive, but the numbers suggest the road to 2025 may still be rough.
The Takeaway
Pacquiao’s campaign is all about fighting corruption and keeping the Philippines away from a China‑deal heavy‑handed partner. Whether he can translate his ring swagger into presidential victory remains to be seen. For now, he’s back in the arena with a new kind of glove—political!
