Aspiring president Senator Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night flexed his muscle for the last time amid the election period as he attracted a huge crowd of supporters during his miting de avance in General Santos City, where he promised to run after corrupt government officials if elected.
Pacquiao, also a world’s renown boxing champion, returned to his hometown after wooing the residents of Cebu province the night before.
Just like what he said in the Visayas, Pacquiao vowed to focus on uplifting the lives of the Filipino poor and ridding the country of corruption.
Pacquiao said he would do that as he, who came from poverty, understands their situation.
“I’m not making false promises because I’m already doing what I’m promising,” he told the crowd in the vernacular.
Citing the corruption in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. as example of irregularities in the government, Pacquiao said he would run after corrupt officials, even if they came from the administration of 10 years ago.
“We’re not yet done with them,” he said.
Pacquiao capped off the three-month campaign period with a four-hour program that was well-attended by thousands of supporters, mostly clad in white and blue, Pacquiao’s political color.
His running mate, vice presidential bet Buhay partylist Rep. Lito Atienza, was not present. He only delivered a taped speech.
Even before, Atienza expressed his plans to back out of the race to call for joining of forces to defeat the tandem of presidential hopeful Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and partner Sara Duterte.
Pacquiao’s mother, Dionisia or Mommy D, made another rare appearance to express her support. When Pacquiao campaigned in Caloocan City in April, Mommy D also showed up, saying she had been wanting to join her son.
Pacquiao’s ever-supportive wife, Jinkee, was also present, as usual.
There were also celebrities and singers who rallied behind Pacquiao’s candidacy. These included the Gutierrez family, Freddie Aguilar and Faith Cuneta.