By Beatrice Puente
(July 16, 2021) – Sen. Manny Pacquiao on Friday expressed disappointment over the barrage of insults and personal attacks he has received from various politicians after he spoke about rampant corruption in the government.
Pacquiao claimed he has enough evidence to back up the accusations he raised against several government offices, calling the low blows against him uncalled for.
“Nagtaka nga ako (kasi) grabe ang atake nila sa akin, paninira nila sa akin,” said Pacquiao in an interview with DZBB. “‘Di naman ako nagnakaw, ‘di naman ako nanloko ng tao, nang-agrabyado. Sinusunod ko lang ‘yung nasa puso ko, kung anong commitment ko sa sambayanang Pilipino.”
Pacquiao already tagged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health, Department of Energy, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources in his corruption crusade.
He, however, has only sought a legislative investigation in the DSWD thus far, saying up to P10.4 billion in cash assistance funds went missing because not all recipients downloaded the Starpay application used to distribute them online. The DSWD and Starpay denied the accusations, citing their liquidation reports.
“Gusto ko magsilbi sila nang tama. Ang pangarap ko ay makita ang mga kawatan sa gobyerno na nasa kulungan lahat. It’s the only way na magkaroon tayo ng economic growth and development,” said Pacquiao.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was among the government officials who dismissed Pacquiao’s revelations, likening it to a “watusi” instead of a powerful “atomic bomb.”
“Natatawa lang ako,” said Pacquiao, adding he would release an audio and video recording to prove the corruption claims once he comes back from his fight in the United States in August. “Kahit ilang beses tayong nag-uusap, Mr. President (Rodrigo Duterte), lagi kong sinasabi sa’yo na ayaw ko ng corruption.”
Duterte, who has repeatedly said he won’t tolerate “even a whiff of corruption,” has also brushed off Pacquiao’s claims, calling the eight-division world champion “punch drunk” for his allegations.
Pacquiao was once a close ally of Duterte until he started criticizing the administration for its soft stance in responding to China’s bullying tactics in the West Philippine Sea. His assertions of massive corruption in the government also didn’t earn him favors.
He might be kicked out as president of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan in the group’s two-day meeting that started today because the faction loyal to Duterte, who serves as chairman, was offended by his remarks.
“Iniisip ko, naaawa ako sa mamamayang Pilipino kasi ako nga na simpleng senador, in-elect ng tao, kaya nilang ganyanin, ano pa kaya ‘yung maliit na tao na isang kahig, isang tuka?” asked Pacquiao. “Marami akong nakaaway dahil gusto ko malinis (ang gobyerno at) ipaglaban ang sambayanan. That’s the only way na magkaroon tayo ng kaginhawaan.”
(PM)
Our Privacy Commitment
TV5 Network Inc. values and respects your privacy. We are committed to safeguarding your personal data in compliance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and its implementing rules and regulations.
We have developed a Privacy Policy that adopts and observes appropriate standards for personal data protection. While our Privacy Policy sets out the general principles governing the collection, use, and disclosure of our users’ personal information, our Privacy Commitment seeks to inform you more about TV5’s privacy practices.
Why do we collect your personal information (as applicable)?
We may collect and maintain basic information about you as site user of TV5 sites for the following purposes:
Where do we get your personal information?
There are several ways we collect your personal information.
Information that you personally provided.
Most of the personal information we have are those that you have provided us when you:
Information we collect during your engagement with us
We also collect information as you use our products and services, like:
Information we collect from other sources
Other means of collection of information may be through:
When do we disclose personal information?
There may be instances when we are required to share the information you provided us. In such cases, we ensure that your personal information will be disclosed on a confidential manner, through secure channels and in compliance with the Data Privacy Act and other privacy laws.
We will never share, rent, or sell your personal information to third parties outside of TV5 except in special cases where you have given consent, and in cases described in our privacy policy.
In some instances, we may be required to disclose your personal information to our agents, subsidiaries, affiliates, business partners and other third-party agencies and service providers as part of our regular business operations and for the provision of our programs and services. This means we might share your information with our service providers, contractors, and professional advisers who help us provide our services.
How we protect your personal information
The integrity, confidentiality, and security of your information is important to us. We have implemented technical, organizational, and physical security measures that are designed to protect your information from unauthorized or fraudulent access, alteration, disclosure, misuse, and other unlawful activities.
We also put in effect the following safeguards:
TV5 will not collect, use, or disclose your personal information for any purpose other than the purpose that you may have given your consent for.
What are your choices?
We make sure that we have your consent to continue to collect, use, and disclose your personal information for the purposes that we have identified. We want you to know that you may object or withdraw your consent and/or edit your consent preferences at any time.
If you wish to have access to the personal information in our custody or if you think that the personal information you provided is incomplete, or otherwise inaccurate, you may get in touch with our Data Protection Officer through the contact details provided below. In some instances, we may request for supporting documents or proof before we effect requested changes.
Data Protection Officer
TV5 Network Inc.
Reliance corner Sheridan Streets
Mandaluyong City
tv5dataprivacy@tv5.com.ph
What happens when there are changes in our Policy?
From time to time, we may update our privacy policy and practices to comply with changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements, adapt to new technologies and protocols, and align with the best practices of the industry.
You will be provided notices if the changes are significant and, if we are required by law, we will obtain your updated consent.