Boxer Manny Pacquiao to run for Philippine president in 2022

Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines celebrates after defeating Jessie Vargas in their WBO welterweight title boxing match in Las Vegas, the United States, Nov. 5, 2016. (Xinhua)

Boxing star Manny Pacquiao said on Sunday he will run for president of the Philippines next year, after railing against corruption in government and what he calls President Rodrigo Duterte's cozy relationship with China.

Pacquiao accepted the nomination of his political allies during the national assembly of the faction he leads in the ruling PDP-Laban Party, days after a rival faction nominated Duterte's long-time aide, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippine-senator-first-declare-2022-run-presidency-2021-09-08, as its presidential candidate.