Pacquiao believes poor people will push his victory in 2022 polls

Senator Manny Pacquiao is running for president in the May 9 elections. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — For presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao, his support and votes would come from the poor – giving a cold shoulder on the endorsement of several local government officials to other candidates.

“Dito sa election na ito, ‘yung mga politician, ‘yung mga nasa posisyon iba ‘yung sinusuportahan, nagkaisa sila. Iba ‘yung sinusuportahan ng mga malalaking company, iba ‘yung sinusuportahan. Pero ‘yung mga mahihirap, iba naman ‘yung sinusuportahan,” he told reporters in a press briefing in Pagadian City, Misamis Occidental, where he was holding his campaign on Wednesday.

(In this election, the politicians, those in power, they’ve come together to support other candidates. Big companies are also supporting other candidates. But the poor people are supporting another candidate.)

“’Yung mga mahihirap alam ko kay Manny Pacquiao nakasuporta — ‘yung mga nangangailangan ng tulong at nakaramdam ng pakiramdam ng hirap sa buhay, sa akin naka-suporta. ‘Yun naman ang ipinaglalaban natin at ‘yun ang misyon natin na matulungan sila,” Pacquiao added.

(I know that the poor people support Manny Pacquiao — those who need help and have experienced hardships in life are supporting me. They are the ones we’re fighting for and it is our mission to help them.)

READ: Pacquiao vows to fight poverty

The incumbent senator’s remarks came after the biggest local political party — One Cebu — in the country’s most vote-rich province, Cebu, endorsed the presidential bid of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Pacquiao said he is not seeking the endorsement of local officials to avoid having debts of gratitude should he win in the May 9 polls, but welcomes their support, should there be any.

“Ako kasi hindi ako masyado nakikiusap. Hindi ako masyadong nakikiusap sa mga incumbent kung ang incumbent sumuporta sa akin then malaking karangalan para sa akin. Tanawin kong utang na loob ‘yun,” he said.

(In my case, I am not really asking for support. I am not really asking the incumbent officials, if an incumbent official supports me then it is an honor for me. I will see that as a debt of gratitude.)

“Kasi ako ‘pag magkaroon ako ng utang na loob ay tumatanaw talaga ako kaya hindi ako masyadong nakikiusap sa mga incumbent na sumuporta sa akin dahil baka singilin ako ng panahon,” Pacquiao added.

(When I have a debt of gratitude, I really repay it, that’s why I really do not ask incumbent officials for support because I might have to give it back one day.

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KGA