Aspiring president Senator Manny Pacquiao will focus on strengthening the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in a bid to expedite economic recovery from the pandemic if he wins in the upcoming May elections.

During a presidential debate hosted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday, March 19, Pacquiao vowed to prioritize the GDP because he says it is "always the basis of economy".

Pacquiao cited the "four elements" of GDP, which are consumption, investment, government spending, and net exports. He said he will focus on all these things as president.

The lawmaker said he will ensure the country's production to meet the people's consumption.

"Yung production na hindi tayo nag-iimport (We need the kind of production that will allow us not to import anymore)," he said.

In terms of investment, Pacquiao said he will ask investors from other countries "to give millions of Filipinos jobs" as well as "to be able to provide financial assistance to micro, small, medium enterprises".

"Papautangin natin yung mga maliliit na negosyante ng zero interest, para makapagstart sila ng business nila, nang mabigyan ng trabaho ang milyon milyong Pilipino (We will provide loans to small businesses with zero interest, so they can start again and give jobs to the millions of people)," the Filipino boxing icon said.

Pacquaio, if elected to the highest seat in the country, will also review the government's spending and identify which ones are not "in line with our goal to progress".

"'Yung pang apat po, net export. Kailangan enough yung supply natin at tayo po ay makinabang pa sa pag export ng mga goods natin para maipagmalaki natin ang ating bansa (Fourth is net export. We have to have enough supply and we need to have an advantage on our exported goods so we can be proud of our country)," he added.