Presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao says he was naïve about using drugs

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 was "

" and ignorant 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, intends to "

". As the polls approach, 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 intends to give offenders a "

".

"

", promising to continue "

" the fight against drugs. "

", told AFP Pacquiao, 42, entered politics in 2012, first in as a member of Congress then now in the Senate. Today, “

”. In 2016, Pacquiao revealed that he had, as a teenager, used marijuana and drugs and “

, A Filipino term for a highly addictive type of methamphetamine.

Born in an environment of extreme poverty, he experienced a meteoric rise, becoming one of the greatest boxers of all time adored in his country.

He has vowed to tackle poverty and corruption, hoping to woo voters with his own story.

I don't plan on going 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 villa in Manila, Pacquiao prefers to ignore his poor results and focus on his campaign dubbed “

”. "

“, He insists while a plethora of employees are busy in his home, located in a secure enclave for billionaires and foreign ambassadors. "

."

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 a fervent evangelical Christian, Pacquiao, despite being adored in his country, has sparked controversy through his support for Duterte's anti-drug fight and his desire to restore the death penalty. The homophobic remarks he made in the past as well as his confession 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 thecurrent president still very popular with Filipinos.

Pacquiao is done with boxing

"

," said Ted Lerner, an American-born sports reporter 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. "

" says the father of five, who has experienced alcohol, gambling and infidelity problems. If his presidential bid fails, he plans to add "

" to his resume, growing fruit on a 20-hectare property in the southern province of Sarangani. "

”he said, before opening his smartphone and launching the“

”

ballad

by American country singer Dan Seals.