Pacquiao tells voters to be discerning in fighting disinformation, choosing next leaders

FILE PHOTO: Senator Manny Pacquiao. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao on Monday told voters to use their discernment and intellect in fighting massive disinformation campaigns leading to the May 9 elections.

In a press briefing, Pacquiao told voters to be wary of the usual practices of traditional politicians in getting ahead of their opponents in the elections.

“Bayan, magpakatalino tayo. ‘Wag tayo magpalinlang, ‘wag tayo magpapaloko ulit kasi for how many years na dumaan ang eleksyon sa bayan, ilang dekada na rin ang lumipas, tumama ba tayo sa pinili nating kandidato? Umasenso ba tayo?” he said.

(My countrymen, let’s be wise. Don’t be deceived, don’t be fooled again because many years have passed after the past elections, decades have passed, were you able to choose the right candidate? Have we progressed?”)

He likewise called on Filipinos to be wise in determining the truth about disinformation campaigns against him and other candidates.

Pacquiao also told voters to reject candidates who are used to making sugar-coated pledges of a better life for impoverished Filipinos, noting that the poor remained trapped in their situations since they vote for the wrong candidates.

“Lalong naging mahirap ang sambayanang Pilipino! Kaya bayan, gising!” he said.

(Filipinos have become poorer! My countrymen, wake up!)

The senator repeated his call to the masses to transform the May 9 elections into a revolution of the poor that will elect somebody who belongs and has experienced a life of poverty.

”Never pa in the history of the country na may tumakbo na galing talaga sa pinakamahirap na buhay na experience.  Ngayon lamang na may isang tao na nakikipaglaban para sa mga mahihirap na tao at para sa kaunlaran ng bansa,” he said.

(Never in the country’s history did somebody who had experienced extreme poverty run.  It is only now that somebody is taking the cudgels for the poor and the country’s progress.)

Pacquiao vowed to prioritize housing and employment programs for the poor.

He also said he remains optimistic that Filipinos belonging to the D and E classes will support his candidacy for president.

He admitted counting on the strong support of the majority of the voters belonging to these two social classes that comprise at least 85 percent of the country’s total voting population.

“Sila ang mga naghihintay, nangangarap kung kelan magkakaroon ng pagbabago.  Sila ang mga taong hindi nagko-comment sa social media dahil wala silang mga gadget.  Kasi wala silang inatupag, wala silang magawa kundi pilitin nq lagyan ng pagkain ang kanilang sikmura,” Pacquiao said.

(They are those who are waiting, dreaming that there will be change.  They are the people who cannot comment on social media because they do not have any gadgets.  They are those who are busy looking for food to fill their stomach).

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