Senator Manny Pacquiao is swarmed by supporters during his visit in Cebu
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao has maintained that he did not pay people to attend his motorcades and sorties in recent weeks.
In a statement, the retired boxing champ said he did not feel alluded to by Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso’s claims that other candidates were paying people to attend their events.
“That’s not me. I am not paying them anything. My heart is full that they are all out in their support for me and I see their warm welcome for me in the places that we visit. Those are not ‘hakot’ or paid-for crowds,” Pacquiao said. “They are supporting us voluntarily.”
Domagoso, another presidential aspirant, alleged that other politicians were handing out P500 to P1,500 to people for their attendance at their sorties and motorcades.