Some 700 local candidates in Maguindanao and North Cotabato have vowed to support presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao’s masterplan in fighting poverty and corruption in the country.
The local leaders made the vow as they took their oath as new members of the Progressive Movement for the Devolution Initiatives (PROMDI) in simple ceremonies as the country commemorated Bonifacio Day on Tuesday, Nov. 30.
In his speech during the oath-taking rites at the Family Country Hotel and Convention, Pacquiao said that he is seeking the presidency so that he can uplift the lives the people and this should be the same motivation of the new PROMDI members.
Pacquiao said that after making it to the top as the world's only eight-division boxing champion, he is now pursuing his dream to become a champion in public service.
"I have reached the top as the world's only eight division world boxing champion but now I want to be a champion in public service. I'm running for president because I want to create history as the one who made a true and meaningful change for our nation," Pacquiao said in Visayan dialect, Pacquiao has been barnstorming the country to personally consult with the country’s poor and convey his message of hope to Filipinos seeking better governance.
Pacquiao said that along with his no-nonsense campaign to jail corrupt officials, his administration would launch massive programs for free housing, employment and livelihood.
He said that using funds generated from savings made for licking corruption, he would build free housing for all homeless Filipinos and provide zero interest loans for Micro small and medium enterprises. This would allow small businesses to flourish while creating hundreds of thousands of jobs even for those who lacked education.
He would also push for a free hospitalization program for all senior citizens.
During the oath-taking ceremony, Pacquiao also defended his decision to support PROMDI gubernatorial aspirant Hajji Yasser Ampatuan of Maguindanao, whom he described as one who is hardworking, honest and kind.
Pacquiao said that Hajji Yasser should not be condemned just because he is an Ampatuan because he had nothing to do with the gruesome Maguindanao Massacre that killed 58 people including 34 members of the media.