Pacquiao Says He's Helping the President, Not Attacking Him

Sen. Manny Pacquiao on Thursday said he was not attacking President Rodrigo Duterte when he pointed to alleged corrupt activities in the government as he was in fact helping him in his campaign against corruption.

Pacquiao said he saw the President's challenge for him to name corrupt government agencies  as an opportunity to take part in the administration's anti-corruption drive.

"I am not attacking the President. Baka mali lang yung perception nila but I’m helping the President. Kasi kung advocacy niya ay against corruption, katulong ako," he said in a Teleradyo interview.

Pacquiao he received evidence of corruption from various government agencies, including the Department of Health which he earlier challenged to disclose how its funds for COVID-19 pandemic response were being used.

He said he didn't want to release these documents right away so Duterte would not think that he was doing his own investigation.

"Baka insulto sa Pangulo na parang nag-iimbestiga ako. Yung mga tao lang na siguro nagtitiwala din sila sa akin, binibigay sa akin yung mga ebidensya, nagsusumbong sa akin," he said.

"Hindi ko ito ginather, hindi ako nag-imbestiga. Sila mismo ang kusang nag-submit sa akin," he added.

Pacquiao said he would submit all the evidence he received to Malacañang for proper action. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the President was waiting for the senator to name corrupt agencies in the government.

Health Sec. Francisco Duque III also on Thursday said the DOH was ready to face investigation over allegations of corruption.