Aspiring president Senator Manny Pacquiao on Thursday expressed concern about the possible victory of his rival, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., as he said the latter may clear his family's name from accusations of unpaid taxes and ill-gotten wealth.
Pacquiao told reporters in his briefing in Iloilo City that he has nothing personal against Marcos Jr., but the public must beware of a Marcos comeback in Malacañan.
"Gustong-gusto nila makabalik, bakit? Unang-una abswelto na sila sa taxes, pangalawa ito ang talagang nakikita kong goal pag sila nabalik sa power, yung mga nakadispute na ari-arian, gold deposit, lahat yan malilinis na yan, pwede na ma-transfer sa sariling account nila (They want to return to power because they will be cleared of their tax cases as well as get away from their disputes in gold deposit)," Pacquiao claimed.
"Lilinis lahat yung dispute sa isyu ng korapsyon, yung wealth na nakadeposito, lahat yan malilinis na yan at mapunta na sa kanila (These all will be cleared and be transferred to their personal accounts," he added. Pacquiao believed that Marcos Jr.'s victory in the upcoming elections will consequently make his family "the wealthiest family in the world" because all their wealth-related charges will be cleared.
A Marcos victory also poses threat to democracy because of possible return of Martial Law, he added.
"Sorry pero I know, binigyan ako ng discernment ng Panginoon pero hindi malayo magkakaroon ng Martial Law uli at yan ay pagsisihan ng taumbayan (Sorry but God gave me discernment that it's possible that there will be another martial law, which the people will regret)," he said.
The country's illegal drug problem, which President Duterte addressed during his term, might also return because Marcos is not really into fighting illegal drugs, Pacquiao added.