Presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao shoots back at critics accusing him of vote-buying.
MANILA, Philippines— Presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao said critics calling him out for alleged vote-buying — since he has publicly provided financial assistance to Filipinos he has encountered during his recent travels — are only envious of his activities.
Pacquiao, who traveled to Benguet and other provinces in northern Luzon affected by recent cyclones, speculated that in their (critics) attempts to appeal to voters, they accuse him of vote-buying every election season. He claimed that he has been handing out money to people in need since 2002.
He also said that he would not stop unless he would be prohibited to do so.
“Tuloy lang ako hangga’t hindi bawal dahil ginagawa ko naman ‘yon noon […] Siguro naiinggit sila dahil ginagawa ko na mula pa noon hanggang ngayon, at hindi nila kayang gawin sa puso nila. Magawa siguro nila ‘pag eleksyon lang, pero ‘pag walang eleksyon di nila gawin,” Pacquiao said in a briefing.
(So long as it is not forbidden, I will continue to do so. Perhaps they are just jealous because they know they can’t do what I am doing willingly. Maybe they could do that during elections, but without the elections they won’t do that.)
He said that the money he gives to people comes from his own pocket — earnings gained from his businesses and illustrious boxing career.
“Instead na mamigay sila, nagnanakaw sila sa pera ng gobyerno. Gano’n naman karamihan eh, pinaghirapan ko naman itong pera ko, proud naman ako at masaya ako na mabigyan ko ng tulong ang mga kababayan ko, eh sulit sa akin,” Pacquiao said.
(Instead of giving money, they would even steal money from the government. That’s how most politicians do, but I worked hard for this money, I am proud of it, and I am happy that I can help Filipinos, which is good enough for me.)
“Hindi ‘yong, ‘yong iba dyan mamimigay tapos ninanakaw naman ‘yong pera kahit na sumaya pa ‘yon hindi mo maging credit ‘yon dahil ninakaw mo ‘yong pera,” he added.
(Some will give away stolen funds from the public coffers, so even if people are pleased with what you did, it won’t be credited to you since you stole money.)
Since announcing his candidacy for president, Pacquiao has been seen several times handing out money. During his trip to Batangas, the senator was seen giving P1,000 bills to people.
He has been accused of vote-buying and disregarding health protocols, as his trips attracted large crowds, which go against precautionary measures against COVID-19.
Last October 19, Pacquiao’s legal counsel Nikki de Vega said he did not violate anything as the crowds swarmed him upon learning that he was in Batangas. She also defended Pacquiao from vote-buying claims, echoing the senator’s statements that he has been doing it for a long time.
READ: Pacquiao probed for crowding in Batangas visit; camp insists no violation done
In the briefing, Pacquiao said his critics should have pointed out his charitable activities a long time ago when he started these in 2002.
“Alam mo ‘yong pamimigay ng tulong sa ating mga kababayan, lalong-lalo na ‘yong cash, noon ko pa ginagawa ‘yan, since 2002 […] wala namang nagpuna hanggang ngayon, namimigay tayo hanggang sa kasalukuyan, tapos ngayon may pupuna. Aba, dapat pinuna niyo ako no’ng 2002 pa lang di pa ako pulitiko no’n,” he claimed.
(You know I have been giving financial assistance to people, especially cash grants, since 2002 […] no one called me out for that and until now we have been doing that. But then somebody would take notice now. You should have criticized me as early as 2002 when I was not a politician yet.)
“Kaya lang naman ako napasok sa pulitika na ‘to na hindi ko akalain na ganito pala, lalo palang madidiskubre ko […] dahil naaawa ako sa ating mga kababayan, naaawa ako sa sitwasyon ng ating mga tao na gusto ko mang tulungan lahat, eh hindi ko kayang matulungan dahil sa limited lang ‘yong resources ko,” he added.
(The only reason I entered politics is that I did not know that the problem was so grave. I sympathize with our fellow Filipinos. That’s why I want to help all of them, but I cannot do that because my resources are limited.)