Presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao will continue the Duterte administration's "Build, Build, Build" program if he wins in the upcoming May 2022 elections.
However, Pacquiao's version of the program will focus on improving infrastructures in his home region of Mindanao.
Pacquiao said Saturday, March 19 that the only way to address the rebellion and insurgencies in Mindanao is to develop the island region.
"Wala pong development ang nangyayari (There is no development that is being undertaken)," the lawmaker said of Mindanao during the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-hosted debate.
Pacquiao, who hails from General Santos City, said he understands the plight of Muslims in the area and "their complaint is that they seem to be left behind".
While Pacquiao acknowledged that the Duterte government's Build, Build, Build program is a good project, he claimed that it will only be called successful "if it is continued" by the next administration.
"Maganda po talaga 'yung proyekto na yan kasi kasama yan sa economic growth and development (It's really a good project because it is part of economic growth and development)," he said.