Corruption primary root of poverty in PH: Pacquiao

MANILA – Corruption remains the primary root of poverty in the country, presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao said during his campaign sortie over the weekend.

If elected, he vowed to fight corruption to uplift the lives of marginalized Filipinos.

“Kaya po ako ganito, nakikipaglaban para sa mga mahihirap (that’s why I’m here, fighting for the poor people),” Pacquiao said in his speech during an hours-long prayer rally at historic Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan City over the weekend.

Pacquiao said his bid for the presidency is a “revolution” for poor Filipinos.

“Para mabigyan ng importansya ang mga mahihirap. Kaya kung ikaw ay taga-Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao na mga mahihirap, samahan niyo ako dahil itong mga ipinaglalaban ko para sa inyo (To give importance to the poor. So if you are from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao who are poor, join me in this battle because I am fighting for you),” he said.

He said Filipinos should realize why poverty still exists.

“Ang pinaka problema ng bansa natin, ang pinaka dahilan ng paghihirap ng sambayanang Pilipino ay ang korapsyon (Corruption is the main problem in our country, the main reason why Filipino people are still poor),” he added.

Pacquiao said he does not need any more riches and fame, like what he attained as a multi-division world champion boxer, because all he wants is to help his countrymen who are mired in poverty.

He further warned corrupt officials that he would go after them.

“Pagdating ng panahon, ginagarantiya ko sa inyo at sa bayan na lahat ng mapagsamantala at lahat ng mga magnanakaw dyan sa gobyerno, bantay na kayo (Someday, I will guarantee to you and to the country that all exploiters and thieves in the government are being watched),” he told the crowd which organizers estimated at around 8,500. (PNA)