IN a game of one-upmanship, it would take a lot to beat Sen. Manny Pacquiao.
An hour into the presidential debates aired by CNN Philippines last night, the retired boxing champ casually dropped a bombshell, disclosing he had donated around P2 billion of his personal wealth to the government’s efforts to contain COVID-19.
The question asked by moderators Pinky Webb and Pia Hontiveros required the nine presidential candidates present to tell the audience their whereabouts and their actions after the national government placed the entire island of Luzon under community quarantine on March 16, 2020.
“When the lockdown was declared, I was among the first to go out. I did not go into hiding.
I led the distribution of face masks, face shields, PPE to others — mostly our policemen,” Pacquiao said.
And then he deadpanned: “More or less I have donated close to P2 billion to our government by way of assistance to help the country ease the difficulties of the lockdown.
“That amount did not involve a penny from the government. That sum came out of my own pockets. I donated out of my desire to help resolve the problem as quickly as possible.”
Pacquiao stressed that he stepped out and went around distributing protective gear despite warnings about the risks of infection by the coronavirus.
“I wanted to show our people that a real leader should be prepared to risk his own life for his country. You have the proof. It is important to me to show what real public service is like, …to help our fellowmen,” he said.