Pacquiao asks fellow prexy bets to speak truth when throwing shade vs rivals

Presidential candidate and Senator Manny Pacquiao woos voters during his campaign sortie Wednesday, April 20, in Piddig town, Ilocos Norte. (Photo courtesy of Team Pacquiao)

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte—After his camp called his non-attendance to the Easter Sunday press conference a “divine intervention,” Senator Manny Pacquiao urged his fellow presidential candidates to be truthful when throwing shade against their rivals, instead of making up stories.

“Nang-aatake din naman ako ng kandidato. Kung tinatanong ako, sinasabi ko lang yung totoo. Huwag lang tayo gagawa ng kuwento (I also attack other candidates but when asked I just tell the truth. Let’s not invent stories),” Pacquiao said on Wednesday, April 20, as he spoke to reporters in one of his campaign sorties in Solsona town in Ilocos Norte province, the turf of another presidential bet, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Pacquiao’s statement came three days after the joint Easter Sunday press briefing that continued to draw flak. It was attended by three other presidential candidates, namely, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, and former defense secretary Norberto Gonzales.

“Pangit sa isang kandidato na manira ka nang manira sa kapwa mo na walang basehan, hindi naman totoo (It’s ugly for a candidate to destroy a fellow candidate without basis, and not true),” added Pacquiao when asked about Domagoso’s tirades against fellow presidential candidate and Vice President Leni Robredo.

Whatever happens on May 9, Pacquiao said “it is the will of the electorate” that would prevail, and candidates should speak the truth.

The retired boxing champ also said he was invited to participate in the briefing, but he arrived late since he traveled from General Santos City.

According to him, what was said during the press briefing was “unexpected,” and earlier discussions with the presidential candidates who attended the event did not include putting someone down or asking anyone to withdraw.

Ahead of the Easter Sunday briefing, Pacquiao said their discussions revolved around unity and their goal of pushing for clean and honest elections.

Ranking high in Ilocos Norte when he ran for senator in 2016, Pacquiao was the first presidential candidate, other than Marcos Jr., to woo at least 430,000 voters in the province.

In one of their stops in Piddig town, Pacquiao said he did not expect that hundreds of Ilocanos would welcome him warmly in the bailiwick of his rival, Marcos Jr.

Pacquiao was set to hold a rally Wednesday afternoon at San Nicolas town plaza, his last stop in the province.

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