If he hadn't become a boxer, PROMDI presidential bet Senator Manny Pacquiao would have been a rebel fighting for justice and equality for poor Filipinos in the mountains of Mindanao.
Pacquiao made this candid admission of how his mind worked during the years of his struggle against hunger and poverty that he and his family experienced during his younger days.
Pacquiao also said that if he makes it to the presidency, he would push for the amendment of the Anti-Terrorism Law (ATL) in order to eliminate provisions that put limits in the exercise of basic rights of Filipinos.
“Kung hindi ako naging boksingero, malaki ang chance na nandoon ako at humawak ng armas. (If I have not become a boxer there is a big chance that I was also there with a firearm in my hand),” Pacquiao said during the Peace and the Presidentiables forum sponsored by the Citizens Alliance for Just Peace.
Hosted by Kay Limpiado and Koko Alviar, the forum invited Pacquiao and other presidential candidates to share their views and programs in pursuing peace and human rights-centered advocacies.
During the one-on-one interview, Pacquiao was asked what he believes has triggered the armed struggle of various groups that rebelled against government.
He quickly stated that poverty caused by corrupt governance is to blame and that the problem can be addressed with the revival of peace talks between government and communist groups, particularly the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front and the New People’s Army (CPP-NDF-NPA).
“Pinaka-solusyon ay development and livelihood para sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa Mindanao. Kailangan kasi may hanapbuhay, sugpuin natin ang korapsyon at palakasin ang justice system (The only solution is development and livelihood for our people especially in Midnanao. We need to have employment, to end corruption and strengthen the justice system),” said Pacquiao.
“Itong mga sinabi kong mga taong humawak ng armas dahil sa kahirapan, wala silang option kundi humawak ng armas nang magkaroon ng katarungan. (These people rebelled because of poverty, they had no option but to bear arms in order to pursue justice),” Pacquiao stated when asked whether or not he believed that the CPP-NPA were terrorists.
He said inequality in the application of justice where poor people become the victims should end.
The Mindanaoan lawmaker reiterated his vow to push for a jury system in the country.
According to him, a jury system would ensure fairness in the dispensation of justice since the accused will be judged by a jury of his o her peers.