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Presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao says he was naïve about using drugs

The legendary boxer, the Philippine presidential candidate, promises, in case of victory, to continue to fight against drug trafficking, poverty and corruption that plague the archipelago.

A necessary mea-culpa in view of the future presidential election, for which he is one of the main candidates in the Philippines. Champion Manny Pacquiao said in an interview with AFP that he had shown “naiveteAnd of ignorance when he was young when he used methamphetamine. Today, the former boxer, who has always supported the murderous campaign against drug trafficking led by outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, hears “imprison drug users, those who sell them“. With the approach of the poll, scheduled for May 2022, the boxer however distances himself from Rodrigo Duterte who is the subject of an investigation by the International Criminal Court for this anti-drug war marked by thousands of murders committed by the law enforcement. He thus intends to give delinquents a “chance to defend yourself».

«We must imprison drug users, those who sell drugs – that’s what the law says“, Promising to continue”in the right way»The fight against drugs. “Before, I was naive, that’s why I took drugs (…) I didn’t know the law“Pacquiao, 42, entered politics in 2012, first as a member of Congress and now in the Senate, told AFP. Today, “people know that drugs are prohibited by law“. In 2016, Pacquiao revealed that he had used marijuana and drugs as a teenager and “shabu”, A Filipino term that refers to a highly addictive type of methamphetamine. Born in a world of extreme poverty, he experienced a meteoric rise, becoming one of the greatest adored boxers of all time in his country. He promised to tackle poverty and corruption, hoping to seduce voters with his own story.

I don’t plan to go back.

Manny Pacquiao

A Pacquiao victory is not unrealistic in a country whose political class is littered with celebrities. A poll carried out in October by the Social Weather Stations institute shows that the ex-boxer would come in fourth place, collecting only 9% of the votes. The son and namesake of ex-dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, would lead with 47% of the vote. Behind him are the current vice-president, Leni Robredo, Rodrigo Duterte’s big rival, would win 18% and the actor and mayor of Manila Francisco Domagoso (13%). Sitting in front of a teleprompter in his luxurious Manila villa, Pacquiao prefers to ignore his poor results and focus on his campaign dubbed “the man of destiny». «I don’t plan on going back“, He insists while a plethora of employees are busy in his home, located in a secure enclave for billionaires and foreign ambassadors. “The people will choose … I know they want change, end corruption, they want a prosperous country and work».

Supporters of the ex-boxer see his journey as proof that success is possible for anyone who works hard, regardless of their background. But as a politician and fervent evangelical Christian, Pacquiao, despite being adored in his country, has sparked controversy through his support for Duterte’s anti-drug campaign and his desire to restore the death penalty. The homophobic remarks he made in the past as well as his confessions concerning his drug use were not unanimous either. The one who dropped out of school at 14 to work is also accused of not sitting regularly in the Senate or Congress, raising questions about his ability to rule a country of 110 million people. He publicly fell out this year with the current president who is still very popular with Filipinos.

Pacquiao is done with boxing

«He may be popular with the masses, but so are some other candidates.Said Ted Lerner, an American-born sports journalist in the Philippines who predicts his return to the ring. The world champion in eight categories including six from major federations – a record – says he does not consider fighting again in case of failure in the presidential election. “I’m already 43, so that’s enough for me, I’m doneSays the father of five, who has had problems with alcohol, gambling addiction and infidelity. If his presidential bid fails, he plans to add “farmerTo his CV, growing fruit on a 20 hectare estate in the southern province of Sarangani. “It’s also quiet (over there), I like it“, He said, before opening his smartphone and launching the ballad”One FriendBy American country singer Dan Seals.

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