Sen. Manny Pacquiao. (FILE) Photo from his Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday said the latest Pulse Asia survey on preferred presidential bets in the upcoming May 9 polls did not bother him as he plans to continue his bid for the presidency.
Pacquiao placed fourth among the preferred presidential candidates, closely behind Manila City mayor Isko Moreno. Former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remained at the top, followed by Vice President Leni Robredo.
Pacquiao said he is no longer looking at the results of pre-election surveys and instead tries to focus on reaching to poor people in the D and E classes.
“Alam mo hindi ako nakatingin sa survey na ‘yan kasi ang focus ko ‘yung mga tao na maabot ko, ‘yung mga mahihirap, ‘yung D, E class,” he told reporters in a briefing in Caloocan.
(You know, I’m no longer looking at those surveys because I’m focusing on reaching the people under the D, E class.)
“Ang D, E class ‘yun ‘yung napakarami lalo na ngayon, pandemya pa, so ‘yun ‘yung inaabot natin ngayon. Doon tayo naka-focus sa D,E class dahil ‘yun ang talagang pumipila at bumoboto,” Pacquiao added.
(The D, E class have the most in number, especially now that we are facing a pandemic, so that’s who we are trying to reach now. We are focused on the D, E class because they are the ones who are lining up to vote.)
Pacquiao to not compromise in unity talks
Pacquiao said he will not back out from the presidential race and will not compromise amid the alleged unity talks among candidates in a bid to stop another Marcos presidency.
He said he will not compromise his promise of jailing corrupt politicians, and doing what’s best for the country.
Instead of asking him to drop out of the race, Pacquiao said that those who want to unite should join his cause.
“Samahan na lang nila ako para makakasiguardo naman sila sa akin kung ano yung ikakabuti ng ating bansa. Yun yung mangyayari. Dahil yun naman talaga ang hangarin ko, yun ang mission ko,” Pacquiao said.
(Just join me. They can be assured that I will do what’s best for our country. That’s what will happen because that’s my mission and goal.)
Pacquiao said that there are those who approach him for unity talks but only “indirectly.”