BOXER PACQUIAO ANNOUNCES BID FOR PRESIDENCY

Philippine boxer and Senator Manny Pacquiao announced his candidacy for next year's presidential elections, presenting a potential obstacle to President Rodrigo Duterte's succession plans as the race for the top post takes shape.

A faction of the ruling Pdp-laban party nominated Pacquiao on Sunday in a video-streamed national convention.

Earlier this month, another camp in the Pdp-laban led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi named Senator Christopher “Bong” Go as its pick for the elections, with Duterte as his running mate.

“I'm a fighter and will always be a fighter, inside and outside of the ring,” Pacquiao said at the event. “All my life, I haven't backed down from any fight. Nothing is impossible if it's ordained by God.”