IF PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte had his way, eight-division boxing champion and Senator Manny Pacquiao would be the Philippines’ next President.
“I am dedicating this message to Manny. You know why? Sabi ko sa kanya, at one time, kami lang dalawa nag-uusap: ‘Yung style mo na ‘yan gusto kita gawing presidente. Alam mo kaya mo,’” Duterte, who was among the high-profile guests during Pacquiao’s 39th birthday celebration, said in General Santos City on Sunday.
He said he shared Pacquiao’s desire to rid the government of corruption.
He vowed to make good on his campaign promise to eradicate corruption as his “gift” to Pacquaio.
“Sa birthday niya, let us honor”•or at least the entire Philippines is listening now”•ang gift ko sa kanya is jointly with his personal hatred for corruption,” Duterte said.
“I join him with the same intensity of hate. And ‘yan ang birthday gift ko para sa kanya, yayariin ko kayong lahat.”
Duterte said he was glad Pacquiao was with him in the public service.
“As a senator, you have demonstrated the qualities of a true leader”•someone who believes that in order to make the Philippines a better country, we have to keep our people on top of our priorities,” Duterte said.
He said it was his pleasure to celebrate another milestone in Pacquiao’s life.
“You have brought so much pride and joy to our country for being the world champion in the field of boxing,” Duterte said.
“The determination you have shown and the humility embodied in the glorious triumph are worthy of emulation. Continue to inspire as we lead them towards a more prosperous life.”
Pacquiao, an eight-division world boxing champion, holds a record of 59 wins, 7 losses and 2 draws.
In the 2016 elections, Pacquiao received 15,592,390 votes, landing him on the seventh spot in the 12-man senatorial slate and recently joined the administration party PDP-Laban. Before he was a senator, he was a congressman of Sarangani province.
