At A Glance
- Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has appealed to Filipinos to not let foreign powers determine the fate of the country.
Manny Pacquiao (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has appealed to Filipinos to not let foreign powers determine the fate of the country.
Pacquiao, a former senator, made the appeal just over two weeks before the conduct of the May 12 mid-term elections.
The athlete-turned-poltician has expressed deep concern over the extent of China's alleged interference in Philippine politics, particularly the upcoming polls.
Pacquiao--who is no stanger to fighting for the honor of the Philippines inside the boxing ring--emphasized the importance of safeguarding the nation's sovereignty and urged Filipinos to remain vigilant.
"We must not allow our country's future to be dictated by foreign powers. Your vote is for the Philippines, not for any interfering outsiders," said the former eight-division world champion.
Pacquiao likened the current political climate to a new kind of battle. This time, the nation's independence and freedom are at stake, he said.
He says the fight is not just about territorial disputes like those in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) but also about protecting the country's internal affairs from external influence.
"The real battle now is within. Our fight is for our freedom and sovereignty as a nation. Let's unite for this cause," he added.
Pacquiao believes that this call to action serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and unity in preserving the nation's sovereignty.