Presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao does not mind not having any backing from incumbent local officials as he does not want to have a debt of gratitude to them.
Pacquiao on Wednesday said he is not bothered if his rivals can get all the endorsements, even of businessmen, as long as he is supported by the Filipino poor.
"Yung mga mahihirap alam ko kay Manny Pacquiao. Nakasuporta yung mga nangangailangan ng tulong at nakaramdam ng hirap sa buhay, kay Manny Pacquiao naka-suporta (I know the poor support Manny Pacquiao. Those who need help and suffer poverty are supporting Manny Pacquiao)," the lawmaker said ahead of his motorcade in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.
Pacquiao said he is not keen on asking incumbent local government officials to support him as he fears of "being asked in return when time comes."
"Kasi 'di ba, ang sa akin ay war against corruption. Dito ko ipapakita sa taumbayan na may pagbabago ang bansa natin at may bagong liwanag (I will wage war against corruption, right? So I will show the people that there will be change in our country, there will be new light)," he said as he also downplayed the declaration of support made by Governor Gwen Garcia and her One Cebu party to another candidate.
Although he welcomes any declaration of support for him, Pacquiao will be more focused on showing the nation that the country's poor are already tired of corrupt politicians.
"'Yun naman ang ipinaglalaban natin at yun ang misyon natin na matulungan sila (That's what we will fight for. That's our mission—to help them)," he said.