On Monday, when Senator Manny Pacquiao chose to speak up of his thoughts regarding China’s intrusion on the West-Philippine Sea, both anti and pro-Duterte groups could not keep quiet about it.
In the interview, Senator Manny Pacquiao did not steer away from his honest thoughts of Duterte’s influence from presidential elections back in 2016.
“Sa akin, nakukulangan ako. Nakukulangan ako kumpara noong bago pa siya tumakbo. Nag-eeleksyon palang. Dapat ipagpatuloy niya yun para magkaroon din naman tayo ng respeto.”
Sen. Pacquiao recollected that Duterte made a vow to ride a jet ski and then put the Philippines ‘ flag in the West-Philippine Sea as a means to defy China’s move. The statement Duterte said at that particular time made a big impression on Sen. Pacquiao.
“Yung stand ng ating Pangulo, yung bago pa siya tumakbo. Yung magje-jet-ski siya, ipaglalaban niya yung West-Philippine Sea. Yun yung nagbigay ng encouragement sa ating mga kababayan. Lumakas ang loob natin.”
“Sinasabi ko sayo ang totoo, lumakas ang loob ko. Sinabi ko “ito yung gusto ko”.
“Manindigan tayo sa kung ano ang sa atin,” he added.
In April 10, the Senator wrote to the Chinese Ambassador in the Philippines, Huang Xilian, and expressed his thoughts of the alarming presence from the 220 Chinese militia vessels situated within the WPS. The Senator asked for the removal of the vessels as Beijing should order it.
Both President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Manny Pacquiao are under one partylist, the PDP-Laban.
Watch the full interview here:
