The camp of PROMDI Partylist and Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) standard bearer Senator Manny Pacquiao on Monday stressed that the lawmaker was merely “stating the obvious” when he made comments about candidates who refuse to physically attend debates and those who demand advance questions.

Nikki De Vega, legal counsel and spokesperson of the senator, issued the statement after former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s spokesman Vic Rodriguez, slammed Pacquiao for his sudden “misplaced bravery” when he called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to shun request for advance questions from presidential bets during public debates.

“Let me make it clear that Senator Pacquiao is merely stating the obvious - that a true leader must be courageous to face his people, despite all odds and even if it is inconvenient for him. Hindi dapat naduduwag (He should not be a coward),” De Vega said in a statement.

“After all, this election is about the Filipino people and not one's own sole interest. To consider running as President in the same footing as a mere job interview exposes the true motive of a candidate,” she said.

“Pag nag-aapply ka sa trabaho, sarili mo ang iniisip mo at gusto mong makuha ang trabaho para kumita ka. Pero sa pagtakbo bilang Pangulo ng Pilipinas, kailangang kapakanan ng taumbayan ang prayoridad at hindi ang sarili (When you apply for a job, you’re only thinking about yourself and your goal to get employed so you can earn money. But if you are running to be the president of the Philippines, you are thinking of the welfare of the nation and the people and that is your priority, not your self),” she pointed out.

Moreover, she said the records will show that Pacquiao has served the nation well, “in and out of Senate, whether they be in the form of debates during sessions or building homes for the less fortunate using his own money, among others.”

“I wish to emphasize that all the fortune that Senator Pacquiao used to serve the people came from his sweat and blood. I hope that other candidates can brazenly say the same thing,” she said of the Philippine boxing-icon turned politician.

“Likewise, we thank Mr. Marcos for acknowledging Senator Pacquiao's interest in his campaign. Truly, Senator Pacquiao is interested in ensuring that the Filipino people will not fall prey to deception,” she pointed out.