Pacquiao: Open your eyes or face martial law again

BACOLOD CITY — Presidential candidate and Senator Manny Pacquiao called on the electorate to avoid voting for someone who may bring back martial law in the country.

“I have no problem with whom you support. But I tell you, regret always comes at the end,” said Pacquiao in a press conference in a resort in Talisay City, Negros Occidental on Friday, April 1.

Pacquiao, who was responding to a question on his chances in Negros with the majority of the mayors supporting presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr., reminded people about the Marcoses’ abuse on Filipinos following the declaration of martial law by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

“If you do not want freedom go ahead (and vote for Marcos Jr.), but the freedom our forefathers fought and died for will all go to waste,” Pacquiao said.

While he is lagging behind in the surveys among the presidential candidates, Pacquiao said he would not withdraw from the presidential race.

“Since when did Manny Pacquiao back out from a fight? I am a fighter, I will fight on,” said the legendary boxer-turned-politician.

If elected president, Pacquiao promised to pursue the building of bridges to ensure the connectivity of Panay, Guimaras, Negros, and Cebu.

He also pledged to give jobs to the poor as well as build houses for them.

The senator said he has asked people who have no houses to fill up forms so they will be on the priority list if he wins.

A P400 billion budget will also be allocated for housing projects while salaries of teachers will be raised.

The senator said he did not visit Mayor Evelio Leonardia at the Bacolod City Government Center because he was just following a schedule set for him.

He said he is still friends with the mayor, even if the latter is not supporting his bid for the presidency.

Pacquiao said he does not hold anger and ill feelings against others who are not supporting him but stressed that he does not forget.

The senator also said he is not spending all his money for his campaign because he needs to save for his family, and does not intend to steal back what he spent if elected president.

“At the end of the day, I won’t steal from the government,” he said.

Pacquiao, who arrived with his wife Jinkee, was accompanied by former Bacolod mayor and representative Monico Puentevella during his campaign sorties in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City on Friday.

The senator paid courtesy calls on Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and mayors Mark Golez of Silay City and Neil Lizares of Talisay City.

His caravan passed by public markets in Silay, Talisay and Bacolod cities.

Also in Pacquiao’s entourage were actresses Ruffa Gutierrez, Annabelle Rama, and Rufa Mae Quinto.

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