Pacman calls for help in Odette relief efforts

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao has appealed to other presidentiables to set aside politics and pool their resources to provide aid for those hit hardest by Typhoon Odette in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Using the hashtag OdettePH on Twitter, Pacquiao made the appeal for them to work together to help the typhoon victims.

“I appeal to my fellow candidates – Vice President Leni Robredo, Bongbong Marcos, Mayor Isko Moreno, Senator Panfilo Lacson, Ka Leody – that due to the potential devastation of Typhoon Odette we set aside all politics and join together all our resources to help our fellow Filipinos in Visayas and Mindanao. Let us come together to help our countrymen who were devastated by the typhoon. Now is the time to come together as one. Let’s help them,” Pacquiao tweeted.

Robredo, in reply, said: “Joining you on this call, Sen. Manny.”

“Thank you, VP Leni. Let’s begin coordinating our efforts, we already prepared cargo planes so we can mobilize and respond quickly,” Pacquiao tweeted back.

Pacquiao also revealed that he and his wife have agreed to forego plans for a grand party for his 43rd birthday today and to instead allocate the funds to help the typhoon victims.

His tradition of giving food packs and cash to poor communities in Sarangani and General Santos City during his birthdays would push through, he told media. However, the number of recipients this year will be reduced from 5,000 to only 2,000 so the rest can be sent to the typhoon victims.

The boxing champ also made a call for help to his friends and supporters who immediately responded, volunteering their aircraft to transport relief goods to the affected areas.

As of press time, three planes, including a Boeing 737 and an A320 airbus, were being filled with relief goods in Manila.

“I am also begging my friends that instead of giving a gift for my 43rd birthday tomorrow, just donate it or you could buy noodles, sardines, rice, blankets, galvanized iron and cement and deliver these to the typhoon victims,” Pacquiao was quoted as saying.

Pacquiao also led a prayer for the areas that were hit by Typhoon Odette.

Calamity politics

Lacson is not joining the call though, as he described the efforts as abominable “calamity politics.”

“If Pacquiao’s call was done through private communication, I would have responded privately as well and offered whatever resources we can share at our disposal in a coordinated effort. Since it was done through the media – it goes against my principled belief that ‘calamity politics’ is the lowest form of campaigning. In fact, I consider it abominable,” said Lacson, who is also gunning for the presidency under Partido Reporma.

“As in the past calamities, my Senate office, as well as friends and supporters, assisted without fanfare and without any media coverage. We did it in Cagayan Valley and Bicol region and some other areas hit by strong typhoons. Election or no election, we assist and help – period,” he stressed.

Lacson, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Matatag Class of 1971, offered a moment of silence for the typhoon victims and led the show of respect during his message to his “Mistahs” on their 50th anniversary.

The camp of Marcos Jr. also took a swipe at politicians who document their actions for the victims of Typhoon Odette before the media.

Vic Rodriguez, spokesman of Marcos, said those who “genuinely” help the needy should not draw attention to themselves in a calamity situation and instead work without fanfare.

Although Rodriguez did not specify the person or persons he was referring to, his statement was issued after Robredo’s camp publicly announced their initiatives to help the victims, including her flight to Bohol to personally check the situation on the ground.

Marcos and running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, through the so-called “BBM-Sara UniTeam,” have tapped their network of volunteers to distribute relief goods in the Visayas and Mindanao.

They said volunteers have prepared relief packs containing five kilos of rice, assorted canned goods such as sardines, corned beef, meatloaf, milk and instant coffee.

“We are closely monitoring the developments in Typhoon Odette and we will see what the affected communities need the most. We are currently coordinating with local governments so we can immediately send these help,” read a part of the statement.

As of Friday evening, convoys of relief trucks were allegedly being prepared to extend aid to Tacloban City, Surigao, Cagayan de Oro, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Samar, Leyte, Masbate, Bohol, Cebu province and Cebu City.

According to Marcos, even before the super typhoon made its landfall in the country, his office was already busy coordinating and pre-positioning relief supplies to be distributed to the communities that may be affected. – Edu Punay