MANILA – Malacañang said on Thursday that Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao has the right to present proof to back up his allegation that government corruption is still prevalent.
“Well, pabayaan po natin si Senator Pacquiao kung ano ang gusto niyang isiwalat (Let Senator Pacquiao reveal what he wants to reveal). It’s a free country,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual conference.
Pacquiao promised to produce audio and video recordings to back up his charges of corruption against government agencies, prompting Roque to publish the statement.
He added that he will produce the evidence when he returns from the United States following his fight with undefeated World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation welterweight Errol Spence Jr. on August 22 (August 21, US time).
Pacquiao is now in the US preparing for his match with Spence.
Before heading to the US, Pacquiao said that corruption continues under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, naming the departments of social welfare, health, energy, and environment as corrupt government agencies.
Pacquiao also filed a resolution on July 15 calling for a Senate investigation into the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s allegedly missing PHP10.4 billion in funds earmarked for the social amelioration program, which was designed to provide financial assistance to the poor during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Duterte, enraged by Pacquiao’s corruption claims, has started rhetorical tirades against the senator.
Duterte has also promised to campaign against Pacquiao, who plans to run for president in 2022, if the latter fails to produce evidence to back up his accusation of widespread corruption in government.
Despite Pacquiao’s strained relationship with Duterte, Roque wished him well in his forthcoming match with Spence.
“Pero sa ngayon po, kaisa niya ang isang buong Pilipinas in wishing him good luck sa paparating na laban niya (For now, we are one with the entire Philippines in wishing him good luck in his upcoming fight),” Roque said.
Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella, a close supporter of Pacquiao, demanded an apology from Duterte on Tuesday for making expletive-laced statements against the senator.
On the same day, Roque stated that Duterte does not need to apologize to Pacquiao because he is simply using his freedom of speech.
