Pacquiao says he's not alluded to by Duterte remark on corrupt bets

Presidential aspirant and senator Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday said President Rodrigo Duterte has the right to name the presidential candidates who are “unfit and corrupt” for the post, adding that it would help the voting public to choose for the rightful candidates.

“Karapatan ng pangulo na ipaalam sa publiko na kung ano ang background ng taong tumatakbo, kung may nalalaman siya ay kailangan malamang ng tao kasi yung ibang tao hindi alam yung background ng kumakandidato at baka alam ng pangulo yung background kailangan na malaman ng taong bayan,” he said in an interview with the reporters.

(It is the right of the President to inform the public of the background of the person running for public office. If he knows something, he must reveal it to the public … the people must know.)

Pacquiao said he believes he was not among the “corrupt” presidential candidates that Duterte will reveal.

“Hindi naman siguro ako kasali doon, hintayin announcement ng ating pangulo,” he added.

(I believe I’m not one of them, let us wait for the President’s announcement.)

Asked if he will wait for the endorsement or the support of the President, Pacquiao said “Sa akin naman kung magsuporta ang pangulo natin ay malaki ang bagay sa akin na yan at makakatulong ng malaki at hayaan  natin yung desisyon ng pangulo.”

(If the president will support me, then that’s a big deal, let’s leave it to the president to make his decision.)

In the second part of his pre-recorded Talk to the People that was aired on Tuesday, Duterte said he would bare who among the presidentiables is the “most corrupt” and who he thinks lacks the know-how to become president.

Open to disclose SALN

Pacquiao said he is in favor of disclosing his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), adding his wealth came from hard work.

“Wala naman akong tutol dyan at open ako dahil proud ako na isapubliko ang SALN ko dahil pinaghirapan ko, buhay ang tinaya ko, dugo at pawis ang puhunan, kaya proud ako na isa publiko ang SALN ko kasi talaga pinaghirapan ko yan at yung iba tinulong ko sa taong bayan,” he said.

(I have no objection to make my SALN public.  I worked hard for that, that’s the product of blood and sweat, that’s why I’m proud to disclose it to the public, and that allowed me to help our people.)

At The Jessica Soho Presidential Interviews aired on Saturday, Pacquiao along with Vice President Leni Robredo, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Senator Panfilo Lacson all agreed that the SALN of government officials must be made available to the public.

Under the Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, public officials and employees “have an obligation to accomplish and submit declarations under oath of, and the public has the right to know, their assets, liabilities, net worth and financial and business interests including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households.”

The Office of the Ombudsman had issued a policy restricting the public’s access to SALNs, including that of the President.—LDF, GMA News

This article Pacquiao says he’s not alluded to by Duterte remark on corrupt bets was originally published in GMA News Online.