SENATOR and retired boxing champion Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao on Friday, October 1, 2021, became the first aspirant for president to file his Certificate of Candidacy (COC), while making a surprise choice for runningmate in Buhay Party-list Representative Lito Atienza.
Accompanied by his wife, Jinkee, Pacquiao filed his COC with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) at the Sofitel Harbor Garden Tents in Pasay City.
He was nominated by three political parties — Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), Probinsya Muna Development Initiative (Promdi) and the People's Champ Movement (PCM).
In an interview after filing his COC, Pacquiao admitted that the problems currently faced by PDP-Laban forced him to seek an alliance with other political parties for the May 9, 2022 national and local elections.
He used a Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (Cona) from Promdi, the local political party founded by the late former Cebu governor Emilio Mario “Lito” Osmeña.
"Because we have a problem in the party, we opted to just use Promdi in our Cona," said Pacquiao.
As for his chances of winning the top elective post, the newly retired boxing icon said surveys are merely numbers.
"In reality, a survey is just a number. It does not include the voices of the poor people, those that really need our care and love," said Pacquiao.
If he gets elected, Pacquiao vowed to help the people recover from poverty amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic by focusing on the economy, internet connectivity, and electricity, among others.
He also assured that he will be putting an end to corruption in government.
"They all need to go to jail together in order to give justice to our people, for the economy to grow, and allow true change to happen," said Pacquiao.
For his part, Atienza said he agreed to be the vice presidential bet of Pacquiao as he believes in the grit and determination of the senator.
"I believe that Manny Pacquiao is the only hope we have in improving our lives, much like how he changed his life from poverty to become the best boxer in the world," said Atienza.
"I am just happy that he asked me to join him in this endeavor," he added.
Pacquiao said he decided to tap Atienza after seeing the experience and dedication of the latter in helping the people.
"He has served the public for more than 50 years and I saw his sincerity, expertise, and real desire to help the country," said Pacquiao. (HDT / SunStar Philippines)