WORLD boxing champion Senator Emannuel “Manny Pacman” Pacquiao said he will prioritize stopping corruption in government, among other plans, if he will be be elected as the country’s next top government official.
During his interview at the forum hosted by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) on Friday, February 4, 2022, Pacquiao revealed the 22-point agenda of his presidency, which includes the following:
* Stop Corruption
* Economic Growth and Development
* Employment
* Free Housing
* Sustainable Livelihood
* Healthcare (Improve Healthcare Service)
* Education
* Agricultural Development
* Judicial Reform
* Salary Increase and Standardization in Both Private And Private Entities
* War On Drugs Waged in The Right Way
* Sports Development
* Strengthen International Treaty Agreements
* Improve And Develop All Tourism Areas
* Defend Territorial Rights
* Automation Of All Government Agencies
* Additional Power Supply
* Internet Signal Improvement
* Lowering Of Taxes
* Empowering Youth Development
* Renewable Energy Development
Pacquiao said among these, he will prioritize addressing corruption, employment, healthcare, housing, internet development and renewable energy development.
Housing
As a person who grew up in a poor family, Pacquiao said it is important for Filipino families to have a house they can call their own.
“Kailangan magkaroon ng sariling tahanan dahil ako ay naniniwala na sa malinis at maayos na tahanan magsisimula ang magandang pangarap ng isang tao,” he said.
(It is necessary to have one's own home because I believe that in a clean and proper home one's good dream begins.)
Pacquiao said he started giving out housing units, built using his personal money, to several families in 2005.
Pacquiao was born fourth out of six siblings in Kibawe, Bukidnon.
From a provincial boy who moved to Manila to work in order to help his family, Pacquiao now has several mansions and houses in the country and abroad and these were all fruit of his hardships as a professional boxer.
Pacquiao is a holder of six Guinness Book of World Records for having the most consecutive boxing world title fight victories from 2005 to 2011.
He officially retire from boxing before he announced his presidential bid in September under the Filipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party faction led by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.
Based on the summary of the 2020 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs), Pacquiao ranked second richest senator in the country with a declared net worth of P3,187,092,600.69.
Education
Pacquiao vowed to support the country’s education system, especially the Alternative Learning System (ALS), which he said gave him the chance to continue his study.
Pacquiao graduated from the University of Makati with a degree in Political Science in December 2019, three years after taking a seat at the Senate in 2016.
He said he will provide each student a gadget to aid in their study especially amid the global technology development.
He vowed that under his leadership, parents will no longer have to shell out even a single peso in order to bring their children to school.
He also ensured support to teachers.
Agriculture and livelihood
Pacquiao said he will put an end to importation, which “kills” the agriculture and fishery sector.
“Hindi lang suportahan dapat ang mga gamit nila kailangan bago na,” he said.
(Support is not enough, their equipment needs to be new.)
“Livelihood, hindi lang bahay, sustainable livelihood, para sa pamilyang hindi makapagtrabaho,” he added.
(Livelihood, not just home, sustainable livelihood, for the families who are unable to work.)
Pacquiao also vowed to improve infrastructure facilities in the country to ease traffic especially in Metro Manila and to improve technology utilities to boost the internet signal nationwide.