Boxing Legend Manny Pacquiao has been known for his quick, powerful punches that beat his opponents, which eventually earned him the honor of being the only boxer to hold world titles in eight different divisions.
Now, he is on a quest to win another title in his political career--"President of The Philippines."
Pacquiao claims that his final three weeks of campaigning had garnered support from the country's poor and so-called quiet majority for his presidential bid.
The incumbent senator travelled to various cities and provinces in the country to persuade voters, who acknowledge and admire his efforts in bringing unparalleled glory to the Philippines in the sport of boxing, per the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Commitment To God
In his campaign speeches, "Pac Man" has vowed to continue his approach of eliminating corruption in the government to reclaim vast sums of money that will be used to fund a massive free housing project for the homeless and to boost the economy to generate jobs for the jobless.
The 43-year-old retired professional boxer said his anti-corruption campaign is his commitment "not to the people but God." "I do not aspire to become even more famous or acquire power. I aim to put an end to those abusive in government," he emphasized.
Pacquiao has attributed corruption as the ultimate reason why the Philippines remains poor and continues to suffer. And he wants to finally knock it down.
The poverty incidence in the Philippines rose to 23.7% in 2021, or 3.9 million Filipinos became poor due to the lockdown measures imposed by President Rodrigo Duterte's administration that led to disruptions in economic activities as per a Reuters report. There were also allegations of corruption in the government's procurement of COVID-19 supplies and distribution of relief funds.
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The "Dark Horse" in the Presidential Race
Pacquiao remarked throughout his campaign that he was unconcerned about his low poll ratings because he expected the poor would vote for him on election day.
"The People's Champ" rank in the latest Pulse Asia survey positions him as the "dark horse" in the upcoming national polls, according to his camp.
"You won't be the dark horse if you're number 1 or number 2 but at number 3 that's really the dark horse position. You're not expected to win but you can expect perhaps an upset in frontrunners," Pacquiao's campaign manager Buddy Zamora said in a television interview, as reported by Philippine News Agency.
In the latest Pulse Asia survey, which covers April 16 to 21, 2022, former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Leni Robredo maintained their lead as the top two most desired presidential candidates.
According to the latest poll, Pacquiao received 7% of the votes, yet this is a significant difference from the leading presidential contenders Marcos (56%), and Robredo (23%).
Pacquiao announced his retirement from boxing in September after the sport had allowed him to rise from small beginnings as a dirt-poor kid working unconventional jobs to make ends meet, per Reuters.
Because he knew what it was like to be poor, he claimed, his humble origins made him the most suitable option for the presidency.
"If we are going to discuss poverty, that is not a concept for Manny Pacquiao. I felt and lived that and that is why I want to lift the people out of poverty," he said.
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