Pacquiao dares other aspirants to an ‘ayuda challenge’

FILE PHOTO: Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao. (Albert Calvelo/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Instead of picking on him for giving relief and financial assistance, presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao has challenged all those running for public office to also share their wealth so the poor can somehow recoup their losses from long years of neglect and corruption.

Pacquiao pointed out that he has been his relief and gift-giving activities long before he decided to join politics but now that he decided to run for president, it is becoming an issue.

He asserted that as long as his relief and gift-giving activities are not prohibited by law, he would continue giving aid to the poor.

“Itong ginagawa ko na ito hindi ito pamumulitika kundi ginagawa ko na po ito noon pa, 2002 pa namimigay na ako ng pera at relief goods sa ating mga kababayang nangangailangan. At least maganda naman po ‘yan dahil namimigay ako at hindi nagnanakaw,” Pacquiao said.

The senator stressed that no public funds are used for the relief and cash assistance that he has been giving people when he goes around and that all of these are products of his own sweat and blood.

Apart from canned goods, rice, instant noodles, and chicken, Pacquiao said he would give P1,000 cash during relief activities so that the recipient can also have money to buy medicines and other personal necessities.

He has also given away at least 2,000 house and lot units in five Pacman Villages that he built in Sarangani province using his personal funds. He has also donated almost P2 billion worth of personal protective equipment (PPE), testing kits, ventilators, and other medical equipment to help in the government’s anti-COVID response.

Pacquiao said that instead of criticizing him for giving relief and cash assistance to the poor, those who are running for public office should also do the same so that the people can also experience their generosity even if it is only during the election season.

“Kapag nakakapwesto ang karamihan sa ating mga politiko nakakalimutan na nila ang mga tao. Kapag eleksyon saka lang silang nagpaparamdam sa mga tao, kaya dapat sulitin na nila. Ipamahagi naman nila kahit kaunti ang kanilang mga kayamanan. Maganda siguro magkaroon tayo ng ayuda challenge para sa lahat ng tumatakbo, para makinabang naman ang mga Pilipino,” Pacquiao said.