FILE PHOTO: Senator Manny Pacquiao is running for president in the May 9, 2022, elections. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manny Pacquiao on Monday expressed no worries over the January survey of Pulse Asia in which he ranked third among presidential candidates, saying he is still “very optimistic” as he continues to gain support in the Visayas and Mindanao.
“Hindi po tayo nababahala sa mga lumalabas na survey. We have solid ground support. We remain very optimistic because we are seeing a snowballing of support in the Visayas and in Mindanao,” the world-boxing champion-turned-politican said in a statement.
“Nakikita na patuloy na lumalakas ang aming suporta. We expect to solidify all Visayans being the only Visayan candidate among the presidentiables. Positibo rin ang pagtanggap sa atin ng mga kababayan natin sa Luzon,” he also said.
(We are seeing that the support we are getting is intesifying. We expect to solidify all Visayans being the only Visayan candidate among the presidentiables. We were also warmly received in Luzon.)
The incumbent senator said he would just carry on with his presidential campaign, and vowed anew to stamp out corruption and jail corrupt government officials.
“Lumalaban ako upang hindi na muling mapagsamantalahan ng mga kawatan ang ating bansa at lalo pang pahirapan ang mga mahihirap nating kababayan. Mahirap ang laban na ito pero mas mahirap kung walang titindig para ipaglaban ang mga mahihirap,” Pacquiao said.
(I am fighting so that our country would no longer be taken advantage of by corrupt government officials, which results in more suffering of our fellow Filipinos. This fight is difficult but it would be more difficult if no one will stand up for the poor.)
In the Pulse Asia survey conducted before the start of the official campaign period, Pacquiao just garnered 8 percent approval from the 2,400 adult respondents.
This January 19-24 presidential survey was released by Pulse Asia to the public only on Sunday, February 13. It showed that Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., got 60 percent of the respondents’ nod while incumbent Vice President Leni Robredo received 16 percent.
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