Boxing star, ‘Absent Congressman’ Manny Pacquiao in presidential bid

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On Wednesday, Philippine icon Manny Pacquiao ended his 26-year, 72-fight profession with 62 wins, eight losses and two attracts. He received 12 world titles in eight weight classes and stays the one boxer to carry a world championship in 4 many years.

Pacquiao, whose journey started as a stowaway on a ship sure for Manila, skilled great progress exterior the Ring as effectively. Moving from pugilism to populism, the 42-year-old has achieved the standing of a nationwide hero, climbed the political ladder and is at present within the midst of a presidential bid. Along the best way, he earned the popularity of being an ‘absentee congressman’, a friend-foe relationship with incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte, and criticism for a few of his beliefs.

Round 1: House of Representatives

In 2007, Pacquiao introduced his marketing campaign for a seat within the House of Representatives. Then 28, Pacquiao was amongst a number of outstanding figures, together with movie stars, who contested congressional and native elections, and misplaced.

Pacquiao was defeated by Darlene Antonino-Custodio of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), who stated, “He probably wasn’t really ready for politics, but I think more than anything, people see him as his boxing. I wasn’t prepared to lose. Icon either.”

Pacquiao then enrolled in a certificates course in Development, Legislation and Governance and, in November 2009, contested re-election for a congressional seat in Sarangani province – the hometown of his spouse Jinqi. They received a powerful victory, ending the rule of one of many nation’s oldest political households: the Cheongbian.
He was re-elected to the Congress of the Philippines in 2013, when he ran unopposed, and spouse Jinki was additionally elected as Sarangani’s deputy governor.

Second Round: Senate

In October 2015, he introduced his candidacy for the place of senator, and received in May 2016, receiving over 16 million votes.

He was additionally the Senate’s prime absentee, recording 12 absences from July 2018 to June 2019, in accordance with information launched by the Senate. He had the best variety of absences after Senator Lila de Lima, who didn’t attend all 61 periods as a consequence of his detention.

Prior to changing into a senator, Pacquiao had earned the nickname of ‘the absentee congressman’ for being the highest absentee amongst lawmakers.

Third Round: Presidential Elections

A senator since 2016, Pacquiao earlier this month introduced his intention to run for president within the 2022 elections.

Pacquiao introduced his candidacy on September 19, saying, “For government officials who continue to rob the exchequer, you will soon find others in prison.”

“Your time is finished.”

The structure prohibits present President Rodrigo Duterte from searching for a second six-year time period at an election subsequent May.

Meanwhile, critics have used his repeated non-performance within the Senate to lift questions on Pacquiao’s means to run a 110-million-strong nation.

On Wednesday, a ballot by Pulse Asia Research confirmed that Pacquiao is fourth among the many frontrunners to succeed Duterte, with Duterte’s daughter Sarah Duterte-Carpio main the run for the presidency.

relationship with duterte

As a senator, Pacquiao notably aligned himself with the federal government of Duterte.

Duterte got here to energy promising a ruthless motion that may rid the nation of medicine. According to a report within the Guardian, the International Criminal Court has estimated that between 12,000 and 30,000 civilians have been killed in reference to anti-drug campaigns since Duterte’s election in 2016. The UN human rights chief, Michelle Bachelet, has warned of “close to punishment” for widespread excesses. Judicial killings.

In 2017, talking at Pacquiao’s thirty ninth birthday celebration, Duterte expressed that he wished the boxer to succeed him as president. “I told him that when we were alone, I wanted you to be president,” Duterte was quoted by The Enquirer. “You have brought a lot of pride and joy to our country by being the world champion in boxing.”

In December 2020, Pacquiao turned the performing president of the ruling get together PDP-Laban. But together with his rising curiosity in working for the presidency, Pacquiao started to criticize the Duterte administration.

Recently there was a combat between the 2. As The Guardian studies, Pacquiao accused Duterte’s administration of worsening corruption within the Philippines. He additionally promised to combat poverty and warned corrupt politicians that they might quickly find yourself in jail.

Pacquiao stated Duterte’s leniency on Chinese ships’ incursions into the western Philippine Sea was “disappointing”. Duterte hit again, saying that Pacquiao’s information of overseas coverage was shallow.

In July, as Pacquiao ready to face Errol Spence Jr., Duterte publicly lashed out. “Kung matlo siya (if he loses), he really is a goner,” Philstar quoted Duterte as referring to the senator’s combat. “Vala ka, wala ka lockaaga. (You are nothing). you’re a crap Don’t go wherever else. Do your responsibility as a senator first.”

Within two weeks, Pacquiao misplaced his place as get together president of the PDP-Laban.

pacman’s stance

Pacquiao’s rise from abject poverty to world stardom, the rags-to-riches story has made him a populist, as seen by the nicknames ‘People’s Champ’ and ‘National Fist’. Veteran boxing promoter Bob Arum instructed The National in 2016 that solely Muhammad Ali had a larger affect than Pacquiao. Last 12 months, with the Philippines within the grip of a extreme COVID outbreak, Pacquiao helped deliver 50,000 COVID-19 take a look at kits together with Alibaba Group co-founder Jack Ma.

But he has confronted criticism for his views on homosexual marriage and the loss of life penalty.

After being elected to the Senate, Pacquiao condemned same-sex marriage, saying, “If we sanction (marriage) male over male, female over female, man is worse than the beast… God is only male and expect women to live together and be legally married.” Nike ended his long-standing partnership with Pacquiao, who apologized however stated he’s nonetheless towards same-sex marriage .

He has additionally supported the return of the loss of life penalty to the glossary of Philippine legal legislation.

“After studying the Bible often, I’m satisfied that God is just not solely a God of mercy, however He can be a God of justice. So on the problem of the loss of life penalty, I could not assist however seek the advice of the Bible, Pacquiao stated throughout a session of the Senate in 2016.

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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS

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