Pacquiao open to tapping Duterte as gov’t consultant

A combination photo of Senator Manny Pacquiao (left) and President Rodrigo Duterte (right). INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday said he is open to tapping President Rodrigo Duterte as a government consultant or adviser should he succeed him after the elections.

Pacquiao said he will not turn away any good advice from anyone so that he could lead the country better.

“Kung sinasabi mong consultant eh kung ako naman ako na tao tinatanggap ko yung mga advice na magaganda. Kasi may kasabihan kami in a Christian life: Do not assume that you are good enough to go to heaven. Because that’s the greatest hindrance for a person to be saved,” he said in an interview in Cubao, Quezon City when asked if he will tap Duterte to be a consultant or adviser.

(For me, I welcome all advice that is good. We have a saying in Christian life: Do not assume that you are good enough to go to heaven. Because that’s the greatest hindrance for a person to be saved.)

“Meaning to say, being a leader huwag mo sabihin na ikaw ang pinaka magaling. Huwag mo sabihin na hindi ka na advisan, pwede ka nang hindi tumanggap ng advice mga ganun. Don’t do that,” he added.

(Being a leader, don’t say that you’re the best. Don’t turn away from advice. Don’t do that.)

He said there is no qualm between him and the President, despite their fallout in 2021 after Pacquiao criticized Duterte’s stance on the West Philippine Sea issue and accused the administration of corruption.

The two have seemingly since buried the hatchet when Duterte and Pacquiao met in early November during a meeting in Malacañang.

“Kaibigan naman kami. Hindi naman ako namemersonal. Ang akin lang ‘yung pinaglalaban ko ‘yung tama. Kapag masama ka ah mag away tayo. Pag gusto mo yung masamang gawain tapos ako ayaw ko, ayaw ko yan,” Pacquiao said.

(We are okay. I don’t take things personally. For me, I just fight for what I believe is right. If you are bad, let’s fight. If you want to do something bad, I don’t like that.)

President Rodrigo Duterte has not yet endorsed a presidential candidate as of this time, saying he has to have a compelling reason to do so.

JPV