Pacquiao distributes cash, rice to Bohol beneficiaries

Sen. Manny Pacquiao. (FILE) Photo from his Facebook page

PANGLAO, Bohol — Heavy rains with thunder and lightning didn’t dampen the visit of presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao in Bohol on Saturday.

Pacquiao, the first presidential candidate to visit the province, arrived at 11 a.m. at the town plaza.

People cheered when he stepped down from the chopper.

He was met by Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP) – Laban Central Visayas chairman Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan, Tagbilaran City Councilor Dodong Agalon, and other supporters.

While a short program was held at the Saint Augustine Academy ground, heavy rains poured.

Pacquiao, however, continued his speech in a small stage while people were soaked in the rain without practicing physical distancing. Others had no facial mask.

Pacquiao encouraged people to have faith in God.

He also said that while other politicians claimed they graduated from prestigious universities and have great diplomas, they were not able to help alleviate the lives of people.

He blamed the corrupt officials who he said should be put to jail.

“If they go to jail, the government is clean. Do you want to see them in prison? They are the cause of our misery. They have long boasted of their diploma, graduating from a prestigious university. They are intelligent but where are they now? We are getting poorer. Their being smart, their diplomas, they used them to steal people’s money,” Pacquiao said in Cebuano.

After his speech, Pacquiao gave P1,000 and 5 kilos of rice to at least 1,000 beneficiaries in the town.

He told beneficiaries not to worry since it was not from stolen money.

JPV