Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao recordsdata bid to run for president of the Philippines

Newly retired boxing icon Manny Pacquiao was the primary to file his candidacy to be the subsequent president of the Philippines initially of registration for hundreds of political posts in what is predicted to be a hotly contested election in Could subsequent yr.

The week-long registrations, normally a festive occasion with huge crowds, will probably be extra sober this yr with restrictions in place to struggle one in every of Asia’s deadliest Covid-19 epidemics.

Pacquiao, who was joined by his spouse and operating mate, home deputy speaker Lito Atienza, submitted his certificates of candidacy to the ballot physique with out fanfare, earlier than saying a couple of phrases to the media about his plans ought to he get elected.

“My precedence is to resolve the pandemic so we are able to drive the economic system to restoration,” stated Pacquiao, who was carrying a maroon polo shirt and a white face masks together with his and the Philippine flag’s picture.

On his solution to the registration constructing, Pacquiao was greeted by dozens of supporters ready by the roadside and waving banners that learn “Combat, Pacman.”

Pacquiao stated he was unperturbed by the outcomes of an opinion poll exhibiting him in fourth spot amongst most well-liked presidential contenders, saying: “The voices of the poor haven’t been heard.”

One of many best boxers of all time and the one man to carry world titles in eight totally different divisions, Pacquiao retired from boxing in September to run for the presidency. He’s a two-term congressman and at the moment senator.

The registration course of ought to put an finish to months of hypothesis over who will vie to succeed firebrand President Rodrigo Duterte, 76, who underneath the structure can’t search re-election and will contest the vice presidency race as an alternative.

Except for Pacquiao, two different contenders have declared their intention to run for president. Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, a former actor, and Senator Panfilo Lacson, an ex police chief, had been anticipated to file their certificates within the following days.

However the highlight will probably be on Sara Duterte-Carpio, the president’s daughter, regardless of her ruling out operating for the workplace subsequent yr.

Duterte-Carpio, 43, changed her father as Davao Metropolis mayor when he turned president, and he or she stays by far the most well-liked presidential prospect, in keeping with successive opinion polls this yr.

Analysts say it’s essential her father’s successor is a loyalist, to insulate him from potential authorized motion at residence or by the Worldwide Felony Court docket, over the hundreds of state killings in his conflict on medication since 2016.

Critics say his curiosity within the vice presidency can be a self-preservation transfer. Duterte says his motivation is public service, not energy.

Vice chairman, Leni Robredo who leads the opposition, can be being urged by supporters to run for the highest submit.

“Within the coming days, please pray with me in order that our choice will probably be what’s greatest for our nation,” she stated.

Greater than 60 million Filipinos will vote in Could 2022 for a brand new president, vp, and greater than 18,000 lawmakers and native authorities officers.

Candidates have till Oct. 8 to register, however withdrawals and substitutions are allowed till Nov. 15, leaving scope for last-minute adjustments of coronary heart, just like the eleventh hour entry of Duterte for the 2016 election, which he received by an enormous margin.