Manny Pacquiao Admits Giving P1k Each in Batangas But Denies Vote-Buying
2022 poll presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao denied the vote-buying allegations after being caught distributing P1,000 each in Batangas.
The boxer-turned-politician recently visited Batangas to provide relief supplies to those affected by the Taal volcano explosion. A video on his official Facebook page shows him handing P1,000 to people in addition to the assistance packets.
The presidential candidate, on the other hand, disputed the allegations of vote-buying. It was not vote-buying, according to the Senator, because he has been distributing help to those in need since 2002.
“Yes, totoo po ‘yan namigay tayo ng tulong, grocery, bigas, at pera na tag-iisang libo. Hindi [ito vote-buying] kasi ‘yung pamimigay ng pera at bigas 2002 ko pa ginagawa ‘yan,” he said in an interview with reporters.
READ ALSO: Manny Pacquiao to Open Alleged “Stolen Wealth” of Marcoses if He Wins
They also reminded the crowd to maintain physical distance, according to the legislator. He went on to stress that his team has not been short on reminders to the public, revealing that some of the officers stationed at the event even wear placards that read “social distancing.”
“Hindi tayo nagkulang ng paalala sa mga tao. In fact yung mga pulis natin may placard na ‘social distancing.’ Pinaalalahanan natin sila na para makatulong sa ating gobyerno ay sumunod tayo sa protocol na ipinapatupad ng IATF,” he said.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is reportedly examining whether the event breached the pandemic’s ban on mass gatherings. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) stated that they are still awaiting the formal report from the Philippine National Police (PNP), as they only received a raw report at first.
Pacquiao further stated that providing money to those in need is something he does regardless of whether or not he gets elected. Pacquiao stated that the funds he distributed were not from the government.
“Ito parang pilosopo. Ano gusto niyo mamigay ako ng pera o magnakaw ako?” he added.
READ ALSO: Chavit Singson Worries Health of Pacquiao: “Bata palang naalog na utak”
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