QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – In his bid for the presidency, the former world boxing champion and Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao presents himself as the right choice for clean governance and for finding a solution to end poverty.

In the Chatroom interview with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar aired on March 22, Pacquiao presented his plans and platforms if ever he wins in the 2022 elections. Among them are construction of a mega prison facility for corrupt government officials, free housing, and job generation.

The presidential aspirant, enumerated some of the 22 points in his plan for the country. They are housing, education, agricultural development, sustainable livelihood, technology, transportation, and health.

Some of Pacquiao’s programs for heath are to build tertiary hospital even in provinces, improve health center in barangays, and to provide the senior citizens with free hospitalization, medical checkups, and maintenance medicine subsidy on top of their usual discounts.

The senator believed the country's non-tax revenue income should be increased to provide funds for the government and help ease poverty. He added that boosting the non-tax revenue income would prevent the imposition of higher taxes, which result in price hikes of goods and services that make poor people poorer.

When asked about the country’s education system, Pacquiao emphasized that the government must strengthen the internet connection and provide each student with gadget to aid in their studies especially amids the development of global technology.  

Pacquiao gave recognition on President Duterte’s Build, Build, Build Program, stating that development is really important to help the public especially in Mindanao. He assumed with this kind of project, the government can generate more jobs and opportunities for the Filipinos in which might help the country end the insurgency.

If Pacquiao wins in the May polls, he assured the public he will create a “peace panel” to resolve the maritime dispute over the resource-rich West Philippine Sea.

“I’m sure ang China ayaw din naman ng giyera, ang ibang bansa ayaw din ng giyera. Yun ang importante pag-usapan ang problema. Basta may pag-uusap, may pagkaka-intindihan”, Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao stressed the need to eradicate corruption in the system to avoid similar situations from happening in the future. Among these measures is to strengthen the President Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC). (JAFD/PIA-IDPD)