Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. Screen grab / Senate PRIB file photo
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday said he sees nothing wrong with Senator Manny Pacquiao, who is also eyeing the presidency in 2022, giving away cash to the public.
Lacson said it is not yet considered vote-buying since the campaign period has not yet started and Pacquiao is using his own money.
“Wala naman tayong pakialam dahil pera niya ‘yon. Kung ganoon ang kanyang pamamaraan para makiramay sa tao, well, we should appreciate it,” he said in an interview over ABS CBN News Channel.
(We shouldn’t meddle with it because that’s his money. If that’s his way of helping people, we should appreciate it.)
Lacson even reasoned that Pacquiao has been handing out money to the public ever since, unlike other politicians who only show up during election season.
“What’s the difference between Senator Manny distributing part of his kinita sa boxing, maayos naman ang pamamaraan at ‘yung binibigay niya years ago?” he said.
“Ang mga tao lang they should see through the gestures of politicians. I think ito ‘yung part ng education natin sa electorate na dapat maging discerning na kung unusual ang ginagawa ng isang kakandidato,” he added.
(People should see through the gestures of politicians. I think this is part of the education to the electorate that they should be discerning whether a candidate is showing suspicious behavior.)
However, it would be different once the campaign period for the 2022 elections starts in February and Senator Pacquiao is still seen giving out money, Lacson said.
He said this will be considered as vote-buying already.
Under the law, those who have filed their certificates of candidacies are not considered as official candidates yet before the official campaign period begins.
The campaign period is set to start on Feb. 9, 2022.
Lacson said he is not in favor of encouraging the public to accept money or bribes from politicians even if they vote according to their conscience and own preference.
“Mali. Tinuturuan natin ‘yung mga tao to take advantage,” he said.
(That’s wrong. We are teaching people to take advantage.)
“Kahit sabihin na take the money but don’t vote, may mali din sa gano’n. Pag-aralan na lang ng mga botante ‘yung issue,” he added.
(There is still something wrong even if you tell them to take the money but they don’t have to vote. The voters should just study the issues.)
Vice President Leni Robredo, who is also vying for the presidency in 2022, earlier encouraged the public to accept cash from politicians but they should vote according to their conscience.