Senator Manny Pacquiao. File photo / Cesar Tomambo / Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manny Pacquiao is accusing his political foes of trying to “distract” him and make him look like a “fool” while he is in the United States preparing for his boxing fight with Errol Spence next month.
Pacquiao left the country last July 4 to prepare for the fight despite the ongoing intramurals in the ruling PDP-Laban where he serves as president.
“Naka-focus naman ako dito. I’m sure that’s what they want to do, trying to distract me…para ma distract ako, matalo ako. Hindi naman tayo pinanganak kahapon lang o hindi naman tayo natutulog sa pansitan…” he said over DZBB on Friday.
Further asked if the attacks against him had also something to do with his political plan for next year, Pacquiao said: “Para magmukha akong tanga (So I look like a fool).”
While in the U.S., the senator said he saw all the attacks and allegations hurled against him.
“Nagtaka nga ako e, grabeng atake nila sa akin, grabeng paninira nila sa akin. Wala naman akong sinasabi. Sa totoo lang hindi naman ako nagnakaw, hindi naman ako nanloko ng tao, hindi naman ako nang agrabyado.”
(I wonder why they are attacking me. I did not say anything. To be honest, I didn’t steal, I did not cheat, I don’t take advantage of anyone)
“Sinusunod ko lang yung nasa puso ko na kailangan kong ipaglaban kung ano yung commitment ko sa sambayanang Pilipino, ipaglaban ang mga mahihirap na tao, yun lang nag nasa puso ko. Kasalalanan ko ba yun? Kasalanan ko ba na tumayo ako sa katotohahanan, tumayo na ipaglaban ang tao? Kasalanan ko ba yun na ayaw kong makipag compromise? Hindi ko kasalanan yung ayokong makipag compromise at gusto ko magserbisyo ng tama.”
(I’m just following what’s in my heart, which is to fight for the Filipino people, the poor people. That’s all in my heart. Is that my fault? Is it wrong to stand up for truth and fight for our people? Is it my fault that I don’t want to compromise? It’s not my fault that I don’t want to compromise and serve the people right)
Though before leaving the country, Pacquiao called a press conference and exposed the alleged corruption in some of the government agencies.
This was his response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s challenge to name the corrupt offices following the senator’s repeated corruption allegations in government.
“Naaawa ako sa sambayanang Pilipino, kasi kung ako nga , ako na senador, in-elect ng tao, ako na Manny Pacquiao, kaya nilang ganyanin, ano pa kaya ang mga maliliit na tao, ano pa kaya yung isang mga kahig-tuka, yung mahihirap na tao?” Pacquiao later said during the interview.
(I feel sorry for the Filipino people because if they can do it to Manny Pacquiao— a senator, elected by the people—what about other people, those who are poor?)
“Kung ako nga ginaganon, kaya nilang ganyanin, ano pa kaya yung mga maliliit na tao, kaya nilang lokohin…” he added.
(If I’m being treated like this, they can do this to me, what about other people, they can fool them…”)