Gloves are off as Pacquiao accepts Duterte's challenge

'Magsimula tayo sa DOH,' said Pacquiao
Jun 29, 2021

YESTERDAY, President Rodrigo Duterte dared Senator Manny Pacquiao to name corrupt government agencies under his administration.

The boxing legend obliged.

In a statement released on Tuesday evening, the athlete-politician said: “Tinatanggap ko ang hamon ng Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Salamat po at binigyan nyo kami ng pagkakataon na tumulong sa inyo at bigyan kayo ng mga impormasyon para kampanya kontra korapsyon."

The statement is only the latest sign of widening divisions inside Pacquiao and Duterte's party, PDP-Laban, even as the boxer prepares to fight Errol Spence inside the ring in August.

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    Pacquiao also took exception to Duterte's statement calling him a liar if he can't back up allegations of widespread corruption in his administration.

    “Mawalang galang po mahal na Pangulo, nguni’t hindi ako sinungaling,” Pacquiao continued. “May mga naging pagkakamali ako sa buhay na aking itinuwid at itinama nguni’t dalawang bagay ang kaya kong panghawakan. Hindi ako tiwali at hindi ako sinungaling.”

    Pacquiao fighting in the ring

    The senator pointed to the Department of Health, questioning how the agency handled the pandemic over the past year and counting.

    “Magsimula tayo sa DOH. Sisilipin at bubusiin natin lahat ng mga binili mula sa rapid test kits, PPE, masks, at iba pa. Handa ka ba Sec. Francisco Duque na ipakita ang kabuuan ng iyong ginagastos? Saan napunta ang per ana inutang natin para sa pandemya?”

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    Pacquiao ended his statement: “Nakakalungkot na sa isyu ng korapsyon kami magtatalo, dahil ang kailangan ng bansa ay mga lider na magtutulungan laban dito.”

    This morning, PDP-Laban vice chairman Alfonso Cusi said in an ANC interview that Pacquiao was "burning his bridges, burning his house" within his own party.

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