Pacquiao vows to fight poverty

FILE PHOTO: Senator Manny Pacquiao. INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines — It’s no secret that world boxing legend-turned lawmaker, Senator Manny Pacquiao, grew up extremely poor.

In his acceptance speech as presidential candidate for PDP-Laban’s Pimentel wing, Pacquiao said he knows the face of poverty as he lived it.

“Naranasan n’yo na bang magutom? Naranasan n’yo na bang walang makain? Ang mangutang sa kapitbahay o mag-abang ng tira sa karinderya? ” he asked during his speech.

(Did you experience hunger? Do you know the feeling of no food on the table to eat? Did you experience borrowing money from your neighbor or waiting for leftovers from eateries?)

Poverty molded his resolve as a person, said Pacquiao.

“Ang Manny Pacquiao na nasa harapan ninyo ngayon ay pinanday ng hirap.”

(The Manny Pacquiao in front of you now was hardened by poverty.)

He was able to release his family from the bondage of poverty, he noted, thus, it is his intention to address the problem of poverty in the country.

“Si Manny Pacquiao na kasama ninyo ngayon ay dumaan sa lahat ng klaseng sakit at sakripisyo, maiahon lang ang pamilya mula sa kahirapan,” the senator said.

(The Manny Pacquiao before you now experienced all kinds of pain and sacrifices, just to free my family from poverty.)