Iconic boxer, Senator Manny Pacquiao, has become the president of Philippine’s ruling political party, PDP-Laban.
The boxer turned politician was sworn in during the PDP-Laban Fellowship Night held at an events place in Quezon City.
Pacruaio succeeds Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, who is now PDP-Laban’s executive vice-chairman.
According to reports, Pacquaio will be assisted by House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco as the party’s new executive vice president.
Confirming the new appointment, PDP-Laban’s executive director Ron Munsayac on Wednesday night, said:
“Senator Koko Pimentel is now executive vice-chairman of the party and will work very closely with our Chairman President Duterte, national president Senator Manny Pacquiao, and executive vice presidential Speaker Lord Velasco.
“Senator Koko Pimentel has passed on the practical day-to-day leadership of the party to one with new, ‘modern’ ideas, and one who has the time, energy, and boldness to prepare the party for the 2022 national and local elections,” he added.
The new appointment might be perceived as a step closer to clinching the party’s ticket for presidency come the country’s 2022 elections.
Although Pacquaio, aka Pacman, has not officially declared for the presidency ahead of the 2022 elections, incumbent, President Rodrigo Duterte has advised him to jump on the chance to be his successor.
Duterte said in December 2017, as quoted in an Inquirer article as saying (I told him, while it was just the two of us, “I want to make you president.”)
However, the 41-year-old has two more years left as a Senator and will be eligible to run for another term or for higher office, after spending six years in the Senatorial office.
