FILE PHOTO: World boxing champ-turned-politician Senator Manny Pacquiao at the Senate floor on March 23, 2020. (Henzberg Austria/Senate PRIB Files)
MANILA, Philippines — “Makipag-contest na lang siguro ako ng memorization.”
This was the response given by Senator Manny Pacquiao after President Rodrigo Duterte took a jab at the boxing champ-turned-politician for claiming that P10.4 billion funds from the social amelioration program were missing.
“Hindi naman ako sa nagyayabang pero makipag-contest na lang siguro ako ng memorization kung punch-drunk ako,” Pacquiao said in a dzBB interview.
(Not to brag, but I can prove myself in a memorization contest if they’re saying that I’m punch-drunk.)
Pressed on as to who he will be challenging in a “memorization” contest, the senator said: “Ayoko na lang mag-abot sa ganyan.”
(I don’t want this to reach that point.)
Pacquiao was asked about Duterte’s remarks against him, saying the senator was “punch-drunk” following his allegations of corruption in several government agencies.
“My friends, don’t believe that P10 billion is missing,” Duterte said, speaking in Filipino, during his weekly taped briefing that aired last July 12. “I have a term for that. It is not mine. I just borrowed it. But I think Pacquiao is punch-drunk.”
The senator then lamented the criticisms against him, saying he feels bad for ordinary Filipinos, who he fears will be treated much worse given his treatment as an elected senator.
“Naaawa ako sa sambayanang Pilipino, kasi kung ako na senador, in-elect ng tao, ako na Manny Pacquiao, kaya nilang ganyanin, ano pa kaya ang mga maliliit na tao, yung mahihirap na tao?” he said.
(I feel bad for the Filipino people, because I, Manny Pacquaio, a senator elected by the people is being treated this way, what more those who are are poor?)
“Kung ako nga ginaganon, kaya nilang ganyanin, ano pa kaya yung maliliit na tao, kaya nilang lokohin. Ito na yung time, na isinisigaw ko sa sambayanang Pilipino, na ipaglaban ko kayo,” Pacquiao went on.
(If they can treat me this way, what more the small people, they can just fool them. This is the time I’m telling the Filipino people that I will fight for you.)
The senator’s name is being floated as among the possible candidates for president in the 2022 polls. At least two of his Senate colleagues say the boxing champ-turned-politician has expressed interest in running for the top post in the elections.
Pacquiao, however, has yet to make an announcement as to what elective post he will to seeking next year.