Pacquiao to Duterte: Don’t be mad, I’m just helping you fight corruption
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manny Pacquiao is asking President Rodrigo Duterte to calm down, assuring the Chief Executive that he is not looking for a fight, but is only trying to help rid the government of corruption.
In a briefing Saturday, Pacquiao said he does not want to clash with the President, reminding Duterte that as a senator, he too has a responsibility to uncover corruption.
“Hindi natin hangarin na galitin ang Pangulong Duterte, ngunit kagaya ng Pangulo, pinagkatiwalaan din po ako ng higit 15 million na Pilipino, at gaya ng Pangulo, may mga pananagutan din tayo sa ating bayan,” Pacquiao said.
“Ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa ating pangulo dahil binigyan niya tayo ng pagkakataon na tulungan siya na sugpuin ang corruption. ‘Wag po kayong magagalit Mr. President, dahil tumutulong lamang po ako sa nais niyong sugpuin na korapsyon,” he added.
Pacquiao went live on Saturday to show several documents he has gathered to prove his claims that the government is still affected by corruption — a claim that Duterte was not happy about.
Duterte then challenged Pacquiao to name the alleged corrupt government agencies. Answering the challenge, Pacquiao mentioned the Department of Health and Secretary Francisco Duque III, and on Saturday, claimed that the social amelioration program (SAP) distribution is also marred by corruption.
READ: Duterte to Pacquiao: Name corrupt agencies or I’ll campaign against you
READ: Pacquiao accepts Duterte dare, names Duque-led DOH
Pacquiao said he is aware of Duterte’s complaints about corruption — insisting that he understands the President’s anger on the issue.
“Dahil ako ay naniniwala na korapsyon ang pangunahing dahilan ng ating kahirapan. Nire-respeto ko po ang ating Pangulo, napanood ko at narinig ko ang sinasabi ng ating Pangulo na nawawalan na siya ng pag-asa dahil sa lumalalang korapsyon sa ating bansa,” he added.
Pacquiao is one of the public officials rumored to be running for president in the 2022 polls, along with other administration allies like Duterte’s daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Senator Bong Go, and former senator Bongbong Marcos.
PDP-Laban officials loyal to Duterte like Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, who is the party’s vice-chairperson, have indirectly asked Pacquiao to leave the party after criticizing the President.
READ: As Duterte-Pacquiao rift widens, ruling party’s future hangs in the balance
