MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday said he is confident he will get the support of the Visayans.
He made the remark in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement that he was not supporting any presidential candidate “at this time.”
Pacquiao said he respects the decision of the President.
“Respetuhin natin kung ano yung decision niya. Hindi naman natin siya pwede pangunahan. Alam ko naman na most of bisaya na mga tao ay susuporta rin sa kapwa bisaya. Sino pa ba ang magtutulung- tulungan? Kami rin,” he said in a press briefing during his campaign kick-off in General Santos City.
(Let’s respect the decision of the President. Let’s not preempt him. I know that most Visayan people will support their fellow Visayans. Who will help each other but us?)
He said he believes it is an asset that he is the only Visayan presidential candidate because he can speak the different languages in the Visayas, including Ilonggo.
Atienza not present in proclamation rally
Pacquiao launched his presidential campaign without his running mate Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza.
Atienza was not present during the proclamation rally of Pacquiao. The senator explained that his vice presidential candidate was injured when he went out of balance.
“Si Vice President [Atienza] medyo nagkaproblema siya sa paa dahil na-out of balance siya. Kaya sabi ko ‘diyan ka na lang muna. Huwag mo na lang pilitin dahil mahaba pa ang lalakbayin natin,” Pacquiao said.
(Atienza had a problem on his foot because he went out of balance. So I told him ‘just stay there. Don’t force yourself because we still have a long journey.)
Before the proclamation rally, Pacquiao held a motorcade across his hometown General Santos City, where he gave out blue t-shirts to people.
He said his camp likewise held simultaneous caravans across Luzon and Visayas.
During the proclamation rally, only two of his senatorial candidates — former Senate secretary and ex-governor of Eastern Samar Lutz Barbo and broadcast personality Raffy Tulfo — were present. Other senatorial bets gave video messages.
He said he bears no ill will towards senatorial hopeful Neri Colmenares who jumped to the Senate slate of presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo.
“Bale pinili nila si Leni so wala tayong magagawa. Okay lang, decision naman nila yun. At least alam natin,” he said.
(They chose Leni. We can’t do anything about it. It’s okay. That’s their decision.)
READ: Pacquiao-Atienza tandem kicks off campaign in General Santos City
