Pacquiao cements loyalty to Binay, vows to boost VP’s bid

SARANGANI—If there is one thing that binds them together, it is how they supposedly understand the plight of the poor, being men of power who climbed their way up from poverty.

This was what Filipino boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao underscored on Tuesday as he returned to the political arena after his victory against Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas last week and joined Vice President Jejomar Binay in campaigning in this province.

Pacquiao, who is running for senator under the opposition slate of the Vice President’s United Nationalist Alliance, vowed to strengthen Binay’s presidential bid by telling the people of the latter’s record in public service.

“Ang maitutulong ko sa ating mahal na VP na magiging presidente ay ipapaalam ko sa tao ang mga naging accomplishments niya, hindi lang yung mga issue na ibinabato sa kanya. ‘Yung mga accomplishments niya na nagawa nya sa pagseserbisyo sa gobyerno mula noon hanggang ngayon,” Pacquiao told reporters in a press conference at the Sarangani capitol before their campaign sortie.

“‘Sinusuportahan ko si VP dahil naniniwala ako na nararamdaman nya yung puso ng mahihirap na tao dahil nanggaling siya sa hirap. Dumaan sya sa mahirap na buhay,” he said.

Highlighting their rags-to-riches roots, Pacquiao reiterated his support for Binay’s candidacy despite being a friend of another presidential aspirant and fellow Mindanaoan, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

“Nagdesisyon na po ako dahil naniniwala ako sa kakayahan ng ating bise presidente. Pag pababago-bago ako ng desisyon, sinong maniniwala sa akin? Ang ine-establish ko dito ‘yung leadership. Desisyon mo ‘yan, panindigan mo,” he said.

Binay also dismissed questions about Pacquiao’s loyalty to UNA, noting that they share the same advocacy in alleviating poverty. The Vice President earlier said he expects his ratings to improve with Pacquiao’s support.

Binay was trailing Duterte and Sen. Grace Poe in recent preference surveys, while Pacquiao was  in the “Magic 12” in the latest opinion poll.

The Sarangani Representative, fresh from a convincing win in what he said was his last fight as a professional boxer, said that he is now ready to serve the Filipino people on a higher ground.

“Ang experience ko sa pagiging mahirap ay hindi nawawala sa puso ko. Nararamdaman ko ‘yung bawat hinaing nila dahil doon ako nanggaling nga,” he said.

“Handa na po ako. Nung nag-start akong mag-boxing nangarap akong maging champion. I believe na tapos na ako sa isang ano ko, dito naman ako sa gusto kong ipakita sa tao… Ako ang nahihiya sa mga lumalabas na balita tungkol sa bansa natin. Gusto kong baguhin yan. Gusto kong i-correct. Ang government ay public service, hindi personal business,” Pacquiao added.