Senator Manny Pacquiao lamented how he is being “belittled” by some of his colleagues in the government.
This is after President Rodrigo Duterte called him a “punch-drunk” after he alleged P10 billion in government funds were lost to corruption.
“Sa totoo lang, iniisip ko, naaawa ako sa sambayanang Pilipino, kasi kung ako na senador, in-elect ng tao, ako na Manny Pacquiao, kaya nilang ganyanin, ano pa kaya ang mga maliliit na tao, ‘yung mahihirap na tao? Ano na lang kaya? Paano nila paglaruan?” he said.
(If Manny Pacquiao, a senator elected by the people, can be belittled by these people, what more those ordinary citizens?)
He also challenged those who called in a punch-drunk in a memorization contest.
“Hindi naman ako sa nagyayabang pero, ayaw ko na lang mag-ano pero makipag-contest na lang siguro ako ng memorization, kung punch-drunk ako,” Pacquiao said in a phone interview with Super Radyo dzBB.
(I don’t want to brag, but I can compete with them in a memorization contest to prove that I am not punch-drunk.)
The senator said this is the “right time” to hear the voice of the masses.
Pacquiao laments being belittled by some colleagues
“Ito na yung time para magkaroon ng tunay na boses ang mga mahihirap na tao at sambayanang Pilipino. This is the right time,” he said.
(This is the right time to give voice to ordinary Filipinos.)
Pacquiao has filed a resolution to formally ask the Senate to investigate the alleged failure of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to distribute P10.4 billion worth of Social Amelioration Program funds or “aid.”
Duterte earlier dismissed Pacquiao’s allegations, calling him a “punch drunk.”
“I think he is talking about P10 billion from nowhere… Papayag ba naman ako? Papayag ba kami? Mga secretary ng departamento na ganoon na may mawala na P10 billion?” Duterte said in his weekly address to the nation.
“That is a statement coming from a guy that is punch-drunk, lasing,” the president added.
Pacquiao headed to America to prepare for his fight against Errol Spence, held in Las Vegas on August 22.
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