I won’t embarrass myself, says Pacquiao in running for president

Senator Manny Pacquiao. Contributed photo

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate and Senator Manny Pacquiao said on Thursday that he would not have run for the presidency if he was not knowledgeable about the solutions to the problems of the country.

The boxing legend said he had carefully studied the problems of the Philippines and would not embarrass himself in aiming for the top government seat.

“Alam niyo, pinag-aralan ko po lahat ‘yan, kung ano ang problema ng ating bansa, pinag-aralan ko. Kaya nga sinasabi ko sa lahat na hindi ako tatakbo sa pagkapangulo kung kulang po ang aking kaalaman, kung hindi ko po alam ang problema ng ating bansa,” Pacquiao said at the “Ikaw Na Ba?” presidential interview of DZBB.

(I have studied the problems of our country. That’s why I tell everyone that I would not have run for the presidency if my knowledge is lacking and I don’t know the problems of the country.)

“Bakit ko ipapahiya ang sarili ko na tatakbo ako rito tapos matagal kong inalagaan ang pangalan ko, tapos tatakbo ako rito sa pagkapangulo na wala akong alam? Hindi po ako tumatakbo na wala akong alam, kundi alam ko po ang lahat ng problema,” he added.

(Why would I embarrass myself if I have taken care of my name for so long and run for president without knowing anything? I will not run for the presidency if I don’t know the problems of the country.)

Pacquiao stressed he is knowledgeable about the solutions to problems like those related to the economy, jobs, and corruption.

Asked about the comment of critics that he does not have enough experience in politics, the senator said that he surpasses other presidential candidates in terms of experiences in life.

“Alam niyo po, kapag experience sa buhay ang pag-uusapan, daig ko po ‘yan sila lahat,” Pacquiao said, noting the difficulties he faced before becoming a boxing champion.

(In terms of experiences in life, I surpass them all.)

Pacquiao pointed at his capability to lead as he discussed possible solutions to the economic woes of the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Pacquiao, his administration would provide more budget for micro, small, and medium enterprises, attract investors from other countries, and boost the “non-tax revenue” if he is elected president.

He noted that the country has debt because its expenses are higher than its revenue.

“Ang concern po natin, ‘yung revenue, income ng ating gobyerno, napakaliit po. Ang sinasabi ko nga po dito ay kung talagang matatalino po talaga ang mga namuno mula pa noon hanggang ngayon, alam mo sa totoo lang ang dapat nating pagtuunan ng concern natin ‘yung revenue income ng ating gobyerno,” he said.

(Our concern is that the revenue of the government is really low. If the previous and present leaders of our country are really smart, we should have focused on the revenue income of the government.)

“Kumbaga sa isang bahay, ‘yung income ng isang bahay, mas malaki ang ginagastos ng isang bahay kaysa income ng isang bahay, so ganun po ang sitwasyon ng ating bansa. Mas malaki ang ginagastos natin taon-taon kaysa kinikita ng ating bansa, kaya palaki nang palaki ang deficit natin at inuutang natin,” he added.

(It’s like the situation in a household where the expenses are higher than the income. That’s our current situation. We are spending more than our revenue, so our deficit keeps on increasing.)

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