DAGUPAN CITY -- Presidential aspirant and Senator Manny Pacquaio on Tuesday, Oct. 26 visited Dagupan City to distribute goods and financial assistance to selected residents.
During his visit, physical distancing and other health and safety protocols were said to have been disregarded as thousands of people flocked around the city plaza.
“Hindi pa ito ang huli dahil mag-schedule pa kami ng isa o dalawang araw para rito sa Pangasinan upang tumulong sa ating mga kababayan (This will not be the last time because we will schedule one or two more days here in Pangasinan so that we can extend help to our conuntrymen),” he said.
In a press conference, Pacquaio said the assistance he gave was from his own pocket that aims to help people amid the pandemic.
Some 1,000 beneficiaries received 10 kgs. of rice and P1,000.
“Nataon lang na tumatakbo akong pangulo, kaya yung iba medyo nag-iisip pamumulitika ito. Hindi ito pamumulitika, dahil 2002 ko pa ito sinimulan (It so happened that I am running for president, making others think I am into politicking. This is not politicking because I started doing this since 2002),” he said.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao vowed that he would not become a traditional politician (trapo) once he is elected as president.
“Kaya nawawalan ako ng kaibigan kasi naninindigan ako at ipinaglalaban ko ang taumbayan. Kaibigan ko silang lahat pero kapag iisipin ko lang ang sarili ko, magiging trapo ako (That’s why I’ve been losing friends because I fight for our countrymen. They are all my friends but if this just for my own interest, I’ll end up being a trapo ),” he said.
Pacquiao also laid out his platforms for the 2022 elections.
He said aside from the fight against corruption, his administration will focus on job generation to boost the economy of the country.
Pacquiao also went to Binmaley town to meet with Mayor Sammy Rosario.