MANILA, Philippines (Updated 11:23 p.m.) — Boxing great-turned-politician Manny Pacquiao concluded his campaign to become the country’s top leader in the place where he launched his presidential bid and where he began dreaming for a better life—his hometown General Santos City.
During his last political rally in the city’s Oval Plaza, Pacquiao sought the support of his fellow Mindanaoans and the ordinary folk.
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Pacquiao, known for his rags-to-riches story, dubbed his campaign as the “revolution of the poor” with a platform centered on fighting poverty.
“Magsama-sama tayo nationwide kung ikaw ay nahihirapan sa buhay dahil itong laban ni Manny Pacquiao, hindi ito para sa akin. Laban ito ng mga pobreng tao, laban ito ng mga mahihirap na tao na gustong umangat sa buhay, gustong magkaroon ng opportunity, trabaho,” the PROMDI standard-bearer said.
(Let’s join together if you’re having difficulties in life because this fight of Manny Pacquiao is not for me. This is the fight of the poor who want to have better lives, who want to have opportunities and jobs.)
Speaking mostly in Bisaya, Pacquiao reiterated his vows to provide houses to millions of Filipinos, support micro, small and medium enterprises, increase the minimum wage of workers, and ensure that jobs will look for people and not the other way around.
He also promised to audit all government contracts—from national to local.
Pacquiao’s camp has yet to release a crowd estimate as of posting time.
Battle vs corruption
As he barnstormed towns and cities in the last 90 days, Pacquiao vowed to knock out corruption, which he said is the reason why many Filipinos remain poor.
If elected, he said he will build a “mega prison” for corrupt government officials, and recover ill-gotten wealth from the Marcoses and their associates.
Pacquiao’s campaign manager Buddy Zamora said this week that the incumbent senator is the dark horse in the presidential race, and may still pull off a come-from-behind win in the high-stakes polls next week.
Thanks to his consistency and sincerity, he improved his number in the final Pulse Asia pre-elections survey, ranking third with 7%. He, however, is well behind Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who is leading in pre-elections surveys with 56% of respondents saying they would vote for him.
Pacquiao's campaign has been hounded by his poor attendance as a member of the House of Representatives and of the Senate, unproven competence, and homophobic comments.
Once a loyal ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, Pacquiao clashed with the president last year over foreign policy. In July 2021, the faction of the administration PDP-Laban party led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi expelled Pacquiao from the party he had been heading.
Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, is the frontrunner in the vice presidential race.
Pacquiao held the first leg of his miting de avance in Cebu City in a bid to woo Visayas voters. Pacquiao’s father, Rosalio, was born in the province’s Pinamungajan town. Cebu is also the home of the party PROMDI.
Pacquiao's running mate, Rep. Lito Atienza (Buhay Partylist), was unable to campaign in person because of a knee injury. In a recorded message, he stressed the need for a “genuine change” in Philippine politics
“Maglagay tayo ng pangulong may puso, maka-mahirap,” Atienza said.
(Let’s elect a president who has a heart, who is pro-poor.)