Not so fast, Manny.
The presidential bid of Philippine senator and 8-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao under the ruling party PDP-Laban for the 2022 election is illegal, a rival faction said Monday.
Attorney Melvin Matibag, secretary-general of the PDP-Laban Cusi faction, said the assembly conducted Sept. 8 where Sen. Bong Go and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte were declared as the party's presidential and vice presidential candidates was the "legit" one.
"This assembly is illegal. They can be declared to be a candidate in the elections but not as a PDP-Laban candidate," Matibag was quoted by Teleradyo as saying in the vernacular.
The PDP-Laban party led by Energy Sec. Alfonso Cusi insists the national assembly held by Pacquiao's political camp on Sunday where he was declared as the faction's presidential bet, was not fully authorized by the PDP-Laban.
Earlier this year, the PDP-Laban split into two factions after Pacquiao blocked his partymates' moves to push Duterte to run for vice president in the coming election.
The PDP-Laban Cusi faction earlier asked the Comelec (Commission on Elections) to declare the group led by Pacquiao as illegitimate.
Pacquiao, 42, announced Sunday that he will run for Philippine president in 2022, after protesting against corruption in government and what he claims Duterte's cozy ties with China.
"I'm a fighter, and I'll always be a fighter inside and outside the ring," Reuters quoted Pacquiao as saying in a virtual speech during his faction's assembly.
"I'm accepting your nomination as candidate for president of the Republic of the Philippines," he added.
During his acceptance speech, the boxing star took a swipe at Duterte and his allies for the administration's failed campaign against corruption and for underestimating him.
Pacquiao warned the 76-year-old Duterte "your time is up," as he vowed to send corrupt officials behind bars if he becomes president.
At least 20 PDP-Laban members nominated Pacquiao, with each region in the country picking a representative to support the senator's presidential ambition.
Pacquiao is the second incumbent senator seeking the Philippines' highest elected post next year.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson launched his campaign earlier this month for the presidency with Vicente Sotto III, who is senate president, as his running mate.
