Pugilist Manny Pacquiao Looks To Upend Duterte’s ‘Meek’ China Policy With Run For Philippine President

Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao confirmed on Sunday that he will run for president in 2022, in an attempt seen by analysts as a counterpunch against incumbent Rodrigo Duterte's “meek” response to Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea.

The 42-year-old boxing champ fell out with his former political mentor in May when he said Duterte’s stand against China’s activities in the South China Sea appeared to be “lacking.” Duterte hit back, urging Pacquiao to “study first” on foreign policy.

Pacquiao said the Philippines should “stand strong in protecting our sovereign rights” as it sought dialogue over territorial disputes.

China has continued provocative actions in the South China Sea, sending its Coast Guard ships and flotillas of fishing vessels manned by armed militias to waters and reefs that are claimed by the Philippines and other maritime neighbors. It has also militarized islands in the Spratly chain.

Duterte's response has been confusing -- threatening to end a defense treaty with the United States, but restoring it fully recently -- making it easier for China to press its claims in the disputed waters, and difficult for the United States to offer a firm and consistent response. The U.S. has been conducting so-called freedom of navigation operations in the disputed waters.

“I am accepting your nomination as candidate for president of the Republic of the Philippines, the boxing champion said in a live-streamed speech during the national assembly of the PDP-Laban Party faction which Pacquiao leads, Reuters reported. Pacquiao’s confirmation came days after Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go declined his party’s nomination to run for president. Duterte can't seek another term but he was nominated by the rival faction to run for vice president.

Pacquiao’s comments against China’s South China Sea activities have been deemed the main reason for his fallout with Duterte. In 2018, Duterte said he has to “remain meek and humble” while approaching the Chinese government to receive “mercy” from Chinese President Xi Jinping. In a translated transcript by Rappler, Duterte was quoted to have said “[Xi] said, okay, so we are now negotiating. Rather than go to war, I said, where I’d lose all my soldiers … If they get hit by this cruise missile, that’s it, my soldiers would die.”

Pacquiao, on the other hand, wrote a letter in April to Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, Huang Xilian, asking the Chinese government to withdraw military vessels at the Julian Felipe Reef, also known as the Whitsun Reef. His letter was sent after reports that about 220 Chinese ships were spotted within the vicinity of the reef. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has firmly stated that the said reef “lies within the EEZ of the Republic of the Philippines.”

The eight-time world champion’s stronger stance on China has been deemed by some American analysts as a sign of hope in blocking China’s aggression in the South China Sea, the Washington Examiner reported. U.S. strategists believe the Philippines can play a major role in the Pentagon’s work in holding back China’s military advances.

Pacquiao, the only boxer to hold world titles in eight different weight divisions, has yet to announce the names of his running mate and his party's candidates for the senate. Pacquiao was elected to the senate in 2016 after two stints as a House representative for Sarangani province.