Pacquiao’s Odds for Presidency Tumble – Bongbong Marcos Leads in the Polls

Despite opening as an even-money favorite to be elected to the presidential palace in May, PDP–Laban’s Manny Pacquiao is now a significant underdog per the top political betting sites.

Bongbong Marcos, son of disgraced former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, is an overwhelming favorite to take over from Rodrigo Duterte. If the oddsmakers are correct, we could see Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte Carpio, join Marcos as vice president of the Philippines. 

The odds below are taken from the BetOnline sportsbook and are subject to change.

Pacquiao’s odds to win the Filipino presidential election have fallen to +700. 

In October, the former world champion boxer turned Senator was priced at +100 to take the reigns from Rodrigo Duterte. Although a popular candidate for the presidency at the time, Pacquiao trails both Bongbong Marcos and Leni Robredo in polls. 

Marcos, who was expected to be a frontrunner for the presidency, is now the favorite to win the election set for Monday, May 9. If elected, it would mark a shocking return for the family that was ousted by the “People Power Revolution” almost 36 years ago. 

Senator Marcos is the candidate for the PFP party that has the support of the outgoing president, Duterte.

His father was ejected from the nation in 1986, fleeing with $77 million of public money, jewels, and precious metals by way of a U.S. Air Force plane to Hawaii. The dictator eventually ended up in Guam, but his family returned to the Philippines following his death. 

Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte emerged as the top presidential and vice presidential picks, respectively, months before the 2022 elections, a non-commissioned Publicus Asia survey showed.

READ: https://t.co/9YLbVtBsf9 pic.twitter.com/vbiYvuKyVE

— Manila Bulletin News (@manilabulletin) November 19, 2021

Marcos Jr. was elected as the vice-governor of Ilocos Norte in 1980, before being elected as governor in 1998. The 65-year-old is a contentious figure in his homeland who unsuccessfully campaigned for the vice presidency in 2016.

Marcos was priced at +300 to win the 2022 presidential election as recently as November 2021.

With Duterte behind him (at least in spirit), will we see another Marcos reign over the republic in 2022?

While a national hero, Pacquiao’s political philosophies are seemingly falling on deaf ears in his homeland.

With Marcos emerging as a clear favorite for the 2022 presidential election, Pacquiao’s odds of becoming the leader of his nation look dire.

Bongbong recently smashed a Pulse Asia Survey consisting of almost 2500 respondents with 53% of votes with running mate, Sara Duterte-Carpio, topping a vice presidency poll with 45% of votes.

The son of a once-despised dictator to be doing so well in polling does not augur well for the eight-division world champion boxer. With the Marcos dynasty having such powerful backing, especially with younger voters, Pacquiao is in a tough spot.

Incumbent vice president Leni Robredo came in second to Marcos in that same poll with 20%. Pacquiao could only manage 8%.

With some looking to hijack Marcos’ run due to tax evasion allegations, this fight is certainly not over yet.

Looking for more political betting opportunities? Check out the latest on our politics betting blog.