MANILA, Philippines – World boxing champion and Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao has appealed to the public not to be “too judgmental” on Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is running for president in the 2016 elections amid various corruption charges filed against him.
Pacquiao, who filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator under Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) on Friday, told reporters that the Vice President as well as others facing charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a fair trial.
“I hope we Filipinos will not be too judgmental. Our Constitution is explicit about this, Vice President Binay and even those already facing charges are innocent until proven guilty by a competent court,” Pacquiao said in Filipino.
The lawmaker filed his COC a day after his arrival from New York where he was conferred the Asian Game Changer of the Year award for 2015.
He said Binay, who is accused of receiving kickbacks from various projects when he was mayor of Makati City, should be accorded due process by the government and his right to defend himself must be respected.
He said he believes the accusations against the Vice President are false unless the courts rule otherwise.
Pacquiao, who was being wooed by presidential candidates to join their senatorial ticket, said he decided to support UNA and Binay because of his humble origins.
“We both come from poor families. We both underwent hardships and hunger –but we also worked hard to get to where we are now. We both believe we can serve inspiration to the poor,” Pacquiao said.
He said he turned to soul-searching, prayers and long consultations with his family as well as with his religious and political advisers before reaching his decision to run for senator.
“I prayed for guidance from God, my family and close associates provided me good advice that would help me decide. We also contemplated on not running in any position but we thought of our country,” he said.
He said he had also thought of running with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who was being egged to run for president, as they both come from Mindanao.