WITH just a little over a month left in the campaign period, PROMDI Party presidential candidate Sen. Manny Pacquiao insists there is no need to bring performers and celebrities in his campaign sorties.
The retired eight division boxing icon said he will stick to directly engaging the voters in poor communities in urban and rural areas rather than provide them entertainment like some of his opponents have been doing.
“Hindi naman ito concert. Siyempre, matagal na nakatiwangwang ang mga tao sa bahay dahil sa pandemya at dahil hindi nakalabas kaya excited sila magkaroon ng concert na ganun. Invited ang mga artista so marami talagang dadalo kahit ako pag gusto ko ang isang artista dadalo ako (We are not trying to give the people a concert. Understandably, because of the travel restrictions, people are excited when they are informed some actors will come onstage. That accounts for the big crowds),” Pacquiao explained.
However, he said the message of the candidate and their ticket could be lost on a distracted electorate.
“We came here to meet the people during the campaign, not to provide entertainment, parade actors. I aim to listen to our countrymen, to inform them that I too came from where they find themselves now. I hope to learn where I can help, when I win,” he said.
Pacquiao is in Iloilo City for a two-day campaign. He met with members of the Agape Christian fellowship and the Doanne Baptist Church.
He was also the guest of honor during the Iloilo Baptist Church Convention in Jaro district where he found time to meet with some provincial government officials.
Yesterday, the senator made a courtesy call on Iloilo City officials led by Mayor Jerry Trenas and with Iloilo City Gov. Arthur Defensor
From Iloilo, Pacquiao is set to have a series of political assemblies in Bacolod on Friday and Dumaguete the following day.
Pacquiao clarified that he has no intentions of competing with his rivals in drawing huge crowds, saying he does not believe in ferrying in supporters just to impress cameras.
