MANILA, Philippines –
Senator Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday accepted the challenge earlier posed by President Rodrigo Duterte to name government agencies and officials involved in corruption.
In a statement released by the senator, he thanked the president for the opportunity for him to take part in revealing the corrupt practices in the government.
Pacquiao stated, “Tinatanggap ko ang hamon ng Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Salamat po at binigyan nyo kami ng pagkakataon na tumulong sa inyo at bigyan kayo ng mga impormasyon para kampanya kontra korapsyon.”
The senator pointed at the Department of Health and questioned the leadership of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
“Magsimula tayo sa DOH. Silipin at busisiin natin lahat ng mga binili mula sa rapid test kits, PPE, masks at iba pa. Handa ka ba Sec. Francisco Duque na ipakita ang kabuuan ng iyong ginagastos? Saan napunta ang pera na inutang natin para sa pandemya?” he added.
Pacquaio also clarified to the President that he may have committed mistakes in his life but he is proud to say that he is not corrupt nor a liar.
“Mawalang galang po mahal na Pangulo, ngunit hindi ako sinungaling. May mga naging pagkakamali ako sa buhay na aking itinuwid at itinama nguni’t dalawang bagay ang kaya kong panghawakan. Hindi ako tiwali at hindi ako sinungaling,” he said.
In the end, Pacquiao expressed his disappointment at how leaders are arguing over corruption allegations instead of working together for the betterment of the country. “Nakakalungkot na sa isyu ng korapsyon kami magtatalo, dahil ang kailangan ng bansa ay mga lider na magtutulungan laban dito,” Pacquiao said.
Earlier, Duterte took offense at Pacquiao’s claim that the current administration is more corrupt than its predecessor. He dared the senator to prove his statements and send a list directly to him.
Duterte said, “I'm challenging him. Ituro mo ang opisina na corrupt at ako na ang bahala. Within one week may gawin ako. Maglista ka, Pacquiao, na sinasabi mong two times kaming corrupt. Ilista mo ‘yung mga tao at opisina at dapat nilista mo na noon at ibigay mo sa akin."
The President also accused Pacquiao of politicking and warned that he will convince the public not to vote for him in the upcoming election. “If you fail to do that, I will campaign against you because you are not doing your duty. Do it, because if not I will just tell the people, do not vote for Pacquiao because he is a liar," said Duterte.
This isn’t the first time Pacquiao and Duterte almost got into a feud. The President earlier described the senator’s knowledge on the issue of the West Philippine Sea as “shallow.” This came after Pacquaio criticized the government’s lack of action towards China’s moves on the disputed waters.
— Sally, The Summit Express
In a statement released by the senator, he thanked the president for the opportunity for him to take part in revealing the corrupt practices in the government.
Pacquiao stated, “Tinatanggap ko ang hamon ng Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Salamat po at binigyan nyo kami ng pagkakataon na tumulong sa inyo at bigyan kayo ng mga impormasyon para kampanya kontra korapsyon.”
The senator pointed at the Department of Health and questioned the leadership of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
“Magsimula tayo sa DOH. Silipin at busisiin natin lahat ng mga binili mula sa rapid test kits, PPE, masks at iba pa. Handa ka ba Sec. Francisco Duque na ipakita ang kabuuan ng iyong ginagastos? Saan napunta ang pera na inutang natin para sa pandemya?” he added.
Pacquaio also clarified to the President that he may have committed mistakes in his life but he is proud to say that he is not corrupt nor a liar.
“Mawalang galang po mahal na Pangulo, ngunit hindi ako sinungaling. May mga naging pagkakamali ako sa buhay na aking itinuwid at itinama nguni’t dalawang bagay ang kaya kong panghawakan. Hindi ako tiwali at hindi ako sinungaling,” he said.
In the end, Pacquiao expressed his disappointment at how leaders are arguing over corruption allegations instead of working together for the betterment of the country. “Nakakalungkot na sa isyu ng korapsyon kami magtatalo, dahil ang kailangan ng bansa ay mga lider na magtutulungan laban dito,” Pacquiao said.
Earlier, Duterte took offense at Pacquiao’s claim that the current administration is more corrupt than its predecessor. He dared the senator to prove his statements and send a list directly to him.
Duterte said, “I'm challenging him. Ituro mo ang opisina na corrupt at ako na ang bahala. Within one week may gawin ako. Maglista ka, Pacquiao, na sinasabi mong two times kaming corrupt. Ilista mo ‘yung mga tao at opisina at dapat nilista mo na noon at ibigay mo sa akin."
The President also accused Pacquiao of politicking and warned that he will convince the public not to vote for him in the upcoming election. “If you fail to do that, I will campaign against you because you are not doing your duty. Do it, because if not I will just tell the people, do not vote for Pacquiao because he is a liar," said Duterte.
This isn’t the first time Pacquiao and Duterte almost got into a feud. The President earlier described the senator’s knowledge on the issue of the West Philippine Sea as “shallow.” This came after Pacquaio criticized the government’s lack of action towards China’s moves on the disputed waters.
— Sally, The Summit Express
