MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao on Monday said he is endeavoring to reach Filipinos under class D and E to further firm support for his candidacy as he continues to trail in election surveys.
He made the remark after he placed fourth in the latest OCTA Research’s Tugon ng Masa survey, trailing behind Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno.
Former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continued to clinch the top spot, followed by Vice President Leni Robredo.
Pacquiao said he is unfazed by the survey results, saying the situation is different on the ground as he observes that many welcome him when he holds motorcades and campaign activities across Metro Manila.
“Alam niyo hindi ako nagwoworry diyan. Ang talagang battle ko ngayon ay nasa D at E class. ‘Yun ang ginagapang ko ngayon at ‘yun ay hindi naabot ng survey,” he said in an interview.
(You know, I’m not worried about that. My battle for now is getting the support of the D and E class. That is what I am endeavoring for right now and those people are not represented much in the survey.)
Pacquiao earlier asserted that people under the class D and E are not equally represented in the surveys when they are the most number in the Philippine population.
READ: Pacquiao unfazed despite ranking 3rd in Pulse Asia’s January survey
Unlike his opponents who have been going to different parts of the country for their campaign, Pacquiao is currently doing his rounds of campaign activities across Metro Manila and nearby provinces, saying he is focusing for now his efforts in the metro since he has yet to build support in the region.
He said that he has visited Visayas and Mindanao even though it is not yet campaign period and he has previously said he is confident he has the support of the Visayans and Mindanaoans.
READ: Pacquiao believes he has support of Visayans: Kami-kami lang magtutulungan
“Ngayon ay dito muna tayo sa Metro Manila dahil sinasabi nga nila mahina daw ako doon sa Metro Manila so dito tayo mag-focus muna,” he said.
(I am focusing now on Metro Manila because they said I have weak numbers there.)