Pacquiao ‘adopted son’ of Batangas, distributes cash aid to residents
PRESIDENTIAL aspirant and Senator Manny Pacquio visited the vote-rich province of Batangas and distributed goods and cash aid to residents affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano in 2020.
Pacquiao, the “adopted son” of Batangas – based on a resolution passed by the Provincial Board in 2019 – returned to the said province to distribute relief goods and P1,000 to each resident who attended the event on Thursday, October 14.
Pacquiao denied that the distribution of aid was part of his early campaign because he had been helping people since 2002.
“Pwede mong masabing vote-buying kung ngayon ko lang ginawa, pero noon pa yan eh. Habit ko ‘yan eh – bago pa mag-pandemya at nagdesisyon ako tumakbo. Namimigay na ako ng ganyan mula pa pang 2002 hanggang ngayon, patuloy akong namimigay ng ayuda…at pabahay,” Pacquiao said and pointed the money was from his pocket.
In a separate interview on Friday, Pacquiao’s camp explained that the senator provided cash aid to fulfill his promise to Batangas residents in November 2020. Nearly 7,000 residents attended the event.
“Pacquiao first visited Batangas to distribute relief and extend financial support during the eruption of Taal in January 2020. He followed this up with another relief assistance visit in November 2020 where he promised that he would return after his fight to provide more help,” the statement said.
Aside from handing out cash and relief goods, Pacquiao also toured Batangas where he visited his Senate colleague President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto and House Deputy Speaker Vilma Santos-Recto on Thursday.
The next day, Friday, the Rectos endorsed the candidacy of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. Pacquiao also visited the Lipa Public Market where he was warmly received by the people and his running mate House Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza. There the senator bought sacks of Barako coffee and the senator showed support for the local coffee industry.
The senator also made a courtesy call to Lipa City Mayor Eric Africa as well as Archbishop Gilbert Garcera where he asked for spiritual guidance.
