I have no big financiers, no vested interests, says Pacquiao

Sen. Manny Pacquiao. (Contributed photo)

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who is running for president, said Wednesday he was not controlled by any businessman and, unlike other politicians, has no vested interests.

Voters should take the opportunity offered by the May 2022 elections for them to choose a president who is sincere and genuinely wants to change the government’s direction, Pacquiao said in an interview on the sidelines of his visit to Borongan, Eastern Samar.

“This is your chance. You have not seen this in history because almost all of those who run in politics have vested interests. There are big financiers behind them who are making an investment, and once they win, they would still be beholden to their commitments and to big businessmen,” Pacquiao said in Filipino.

“Me, nobody controls me because I don’t easily accept help in a campaign in exchange for something. I don’t want my commitment to the people to be compromised,” he added.

Pacquiao claimed that, even though he did not spend too much on campaigning, the people understand what he was fighting for in his presidential bid.

The retired boxing champion also urged Filipinos to test his leadership for six years.

“I told them: Try my leadership for six years. It’s just six years anyway. We have been trying out the leadership of other politicians for many decades. But what happened? We became even poorer,” Pacquiao said.

“That is my appeal to the people — that for the many decades that passed, we have already tested their governance. Maybe you can give Manny Pacquiao a chance because only in God and the people can we have real change,” he added.

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