Boxing icon Pacquiao takes over as head of Philippine ruling party

Manny Pacquiao / Yonhap

Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has taken over as head of the ruling political party in the country, it was announced on Thursday.

Pacquiao, who is a senator in the Philippines, was sworn in as the national president of the political party of President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday night, said Ron Munsayac, executive director of the PDP-Laban party.

The takeover took place more than one year before the country's next presidential elections in 2022.

When asked if the takeover was a prelude to Pacquiao's presidential run, Munsayac said: "It's still too early to talk about the presidential elections.

"What we can expect ... is more activities and avenues to help our countrymen in the grass-roots levels.

"Senator Pacquiao will bring not only more energy to the party in the sense of expanding its membership."

Pacquiao's term as senator is due to end in 2022, when the Philippines is scheduled to elect a new president, vice president and other officials. He is eligible to run for another term in the Senate, or for another position.

After he was sworn in, Pacquiao promised to be beholden "only to the Filipino people."

"We are here to fight for the poor, the jobless, the homeless, the voiceless and the hopeless," he added. "This is what the PDP-Laban under Manny Pacquiao will stand for."

Pacquiao, a world champion in eight different weight classes, has been named as a possible candidate for the presidency in 2022, but he has so far not discussed his future political plans. (DPA)

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