HIS next fight has become official, but it will be a different ring this time.
Professional boxer and also Philippine Senator Manny Pacquiao has officially thrown his hat into the election ring as he declared his readiness to run for the country’s top post in the 2022 national and local elections.
This, after Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), which he leads together with Sen. Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III, has proclaimed the Bukidnon-born but General Santos-raised Pacquiao as the party’s presidential standard-bearer during its national assembly.
“Tinatanggap ko po ang inyong nominasyon sa akin bilang kandidato sa pagka-pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas,” Pacquiao said in his lengthy speech.
According to Pacquiao, now is the right time to revive the country who has fallen into poverty and to have a clean government which will use every cent of the national budget for the welfare of each Filipino.
He vowed to combat corruption and rogue politicians, threatening that their “time is up” and he will put them behind bars once he assumes the presidential seat.
The senator further assured that the boxer who fought to raise the Philippine flag and establish national pride is no different from his politician-side whose interest is to fight against poverty and corruption.
“I am a fighter and I will always be a fighter inside and outside the ring. Sa buong buhay ko, wala akong laban na inatrasan dahil sa ngalan ng prinsipyo, karangalan ng bayan ay tumayo ako, nanindigan at nakikipaglaban. Ang Manny Pacquiao na kilala ninyo bilang Pambansang Kamao ay walang pinag-[ka]iba sa Manny Pacquiao na kasama ninyo laban sa kahirapan at katiwalian,” he stated.
On criticisms about his capability to govern the country, Pacquiao defended himself by recalling how he has gone through the same unfortunate situations just like how Filipinos experienced poverty which—as he believed—braced him enough to lead the country better should he win the presidential race next year.
He emphasized that he was yielded with poverty and it is for the same reason that he is well aware about Filipinos’ situation.
“Ang Manny Pacquiao na nasa harapan ninyo ngayon ay pinanday ng hirap. Si Manny Pacquiao na kasama ninyo ngayon ay dumaan sa lahat ng klaseng sakit at sakripisyo sa buhay mai-ahon lang ang pamilya mula sa kahirapan. At ang Manny Pacquiao na pilit nilang pinababagsak, ay ilang beses nang bumangon, nagsikap, at nagtagumpay,” the senator expressed.
“Mga kababayan, we need progress. We need to win against poverty. We need government to serve our people with integrity, compassion, and transparency. Sawang-sawa na tayo sa mga pangako ng pagbabago. Inip na inip na ang taong bayan, nagtatanong [kung] kailan ba matatapos ang kanilang paghihirap,” he added.
The PDP-Laban gave Pacquiao the authority to choose his running mate and the party’s senatorial slate. However, the latter has yet to announce a final list.
Pacquiao did not also fail to mention his faction whom he urged to remember that they are “unbeatable” as the strength of the political party lies with the trust of the Filipino people despite its internal conflict with Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi wing.
On September 7, the PDP-Laban Cusi faction has filed a petition before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to declare Pacquiao’s faction as “illegitimate” representatives, following their own endorsement with Senator Bong Go for president and incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte for vice president.
Duterte has accepted the nomination, Go, however, declined and reiterated that the focus of the party must be given to those who are interested to run unlike him.
While the tension between the two factions of the party he has “accepted, cared for, and protected” rises over time, Pacquiao pointed out that he remained silent but will now prove that the nation comes first before any party, principle, dignity, and personal interest.
(PHOTO CREDIT: gmanetwork.com)