His religious faith will play a major role in the way PROMDI presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao will run country if he wins the presidency.
The former Catholic faithful and Marian devotee, Pacquiao told a radio DZBB “Ikaw Na Ba?” interview that God should be at the center of governance to guide the nation in becoming successful.
Changing his religion but remained within the Christian fold, the senator cited the Bible and his belief in God for reforming him from a man of all known sinful vices into a person who seeks to change the life of the poor who comprise the large majority in the country.
“Naniniwala ako na (I believe that) blessed is the nation whose god is the Lord,” he told broadcast journalists Cathy San Gabriel and Melo del Prado.
Asked how his deep religiosity will play a role in governance, the professional boxing icon pointed out that a president’s oath of office is always done by placing his or her hand over a Bible.
“Lahat ng pangulo may hawak na Bibliya at nanunumpa ng katapatan hindi lamang sa harap ng tao kundi sa harap ng Diyos. (All presidents hold a Bible to swear loyalty not only to the people but before God). This is our commitment,” Pacquiao explained.
“Alam ninyo, hindi po tayo magiging successful nation kung wala ang Diyos. (You know, we will not be successful as a nation without God),” he added.
The Mindanaoan senator said his faith in God was a huge reason in his reformation, stressing that it has provided inspiration to help others and do good in life.
“God changed my heart, nawala lahat ng vices ko (my vices are now gone),” said Pacquiao as he recalled his days as a womanizer, drunkard and gambler.
‘Binago ako ng Panginoon kaya lahat ng pangarap ko ay makatulong sa kapwa, makagawa ng tama sa ating kapwa, makagawa ng tama sa ating bansa. (God changed me that is why my goal is to help others, do them and the nation good),” he said.
Pacquiao knows the Bible by heart that he and wife, Jinky, spend much of their evening reading and discussing the passages and lessons in it.
During his 36th birthday party he celebrated in General Santos City, the billionaire solon offered guests P10,000 for each correct answer to 20 questions about the Bible he had in mind.
Among those present were pastors and leaders of various religious groups, but many of them resorted to Google for the correct answers to the P10,000-questions.
At the end of the bible quiz, only about half of the questions were answered correctly, one of which was asked by Pacquiao who appeared exasperated over the lack of correct responses. The question: "What important event are we celebrating on December 25?"