 Boxing star Manny Pacquiao says he will run for the Philippines presidency in the 2022 election, declaring his political plan after rallying at corruption in government, and President Rodrigo Duterte's cozy relationship with China. Pacquiao accepted the nomination of his political allies during the National Assembly of Affection in the ruling PDP-Leban party that he leads. Boxing star Manny Pacquiao says he will run for the presidency of the Philippines next year. We are ready to rise to the challenge of leadership. Pacquiao leads a faction in the ruling PDP-Leban party. On Sunday, he accepted the nomination of his political allies, and railed against corruption in government and President Rodrigo Duterte's cozy relationship with China. We need progress. We need to win against poverty. We need government to serve our people with integrity, compassion and transparency. The move comes days after a rival faction nominated Duterte's longtime aide Senator Christopher Goh as its presidential candidate, which he declined. That faction also nominated Duterte for vice president, a move that critics called a cynical ploy by Duterte to retain power. I am hopeful that this will allow me to continue serving the Filipino people and help lead the entire nation towards greater progress. Pacquiao's faction has not expressed support for Duterte's vice presidential bid. Duterte is prohibited by the Constitution from running for a second six-year term as president. Pacquiao, once a close ally of Duterte's, has said more than 10 billion pesos in aid intended for poor families during the global health crisis is unaccounted for. That's around $200 million. Pacquiao's anti-corruption campaign also comes as the Senate opened an investigation into alleged overpricing of medical supplies and equipment, purchased under the government's pandemic response program. Duterte has challenged Pacquiao to name corrupt government offices. Pacquiao is one of the greatest boxers of all time and the only man to hold world titles in eight different divisions. But despite his popularity, he trails frontrunners in opinion polls. They have been consistently topped by Sara Duterte Carpio, the president's daughter. You can get notified about fresh news updates.