PRESIDENTIAL candidate Sen. Manny Pacquiao yesterday said former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. risks normalizing dishonesty in public office by saying corruption cannot be stopped because it is a human condition.
The former boxing champ countered that an honest leadership combined with swift prosecution and incarceration of erring public officials will go a long way towards eradicating dishonesty in all levels of government.
In the continuation of his campaign swing in Cavite and the southern part of Metro Manila, Pacquiao said it is unacceptable for someone aspiring to lead the country to declare that corruption may only be minimized but not stopped.
The PROMDI Party bet said corruption is the root cause of the hardships of many Filipinos especially the poor.
“The only way to lick it is to make sure that all corrupt government officials are hauled off to jail,” Pacquiao said.
He insisted that majority of Filipinos still appreciate integrity and honesty in public service and aspire for clean governance.
“How can one say stealing is normal? I can’t agree to that. How can you bear to feed your family from the fruit of our crimes? That’s intolerable,” he said.
Under his administration, Pacquiao said everyone will be treated fairly, irrespective of their stations in life.
“Vote for Manny Pacquiao. Give me your trust for six years and I will show you what a Godly leadership is. We will clean up our government so we can move forward. We will relearn discipline, that is what this country needs,” he said.
He reiterated his belief that speeding up prosecution of corrupt officials will send home the message that misconduct and abuse of power will not be tolerated.
He said that by rooting out corruption in public offices, the government stands to save P700 billion to P1 trillion a year that can be used to finance a free housing program, free hospitalization for senior citizens, interest-free loans for micro-small and medium enterprises, financial support for the country’s 10 million farmers and other programs for the poor.
