Duterte hits Pacquiao over 'corruption' comments, twits senator's housing promise

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night lashed out at Senator Manny Pacquiao over the lawmaker's supposed comments that corruption has worsened under the Duterte administration.

In his weekly address to the nation, Duterte dared Pacquiao to identify the corrupt officials and he would do something about the matter.

"If you fail to do that, I will campaign against you because you're not doing your duty. Do it. If not, I will just tell the people, 'Do not vote for Pacquiao because he is a liar,'" Duterte said.

"I put you on notice. Isasabi ko lahat at kakalabanin kita (sa) panahon ng election. 'Pag hindi, you'll just be another son of a bitch playing politics," he added.

[I put you on notice. I will tell everyone and I will fight you during election time.]

Pacquiao has been reported as saying that he would prioritize ending corruption if he decided he to run for president.

He was also reported to have said that he would build housing for all Filipinos.

In his Talk to the People, Duterte lashed out at Pacquiao after he again brought up the idea of running for vice president because he still had certain things to finish in the national government. 

He said he would rather that others run for vice president but indicated that the matter would depend on the presidential candidate he would support.

"Running for VP... it's not at all a bad idea and if there is a space for me there, siguro (perhaps)," Duterte said.

"Pero kung wala akong space everybody is wanting to be one, VP, sila na lang muna  kasi tapos na ako," he added.

[But if there's no space because everybody is wanting to be one, VP, let them have it because I'm already done.]

"But there are things I'd like to continue [and] that will be dependent on the president that I would support," Duterte said.

Party chair Duterte ran and won under the PDP-Laban banner in 2016. Pacquiao is the party's president.

"Si Pacquiao salita nang salita na three times daw tayong mas corrupt so I am challenging him, ituro mo ang opisina na corrupt at ako na ang bahala within one week may gawin ako," Duterte said.

[Pacquiao said we're three times more corrupt so I am challenging him to identify the corrupt offices and I would handle the situation within a week.]

"'Di ba ang sabi ko noon if you come to know that there is corruption, let me know? Give me the office. Ganoon ang dapat ginawa mo... Wala ka namang sinabi all these years. Puro ka praises nang praises sa'kin tapos ngayon sabihin mo corrupt," he added.

[Didn't I tell you that if you come to know that there is corruption, let me know? Give me the office. That's what you should have done... You didn't say anything all these years. You're all praises for me and then you're crying corruption.] 

Duterte also dismissed Pacquiao's promise to build homes "for everybody in six years time."

"Do not ever think that if you will win as president na wala nang corruption dito sa Pilipinas," Duterte told Pacquiao.

[Do not ever think that if you will win as president, there will no longer be corruption.]

"And for your dream of giving everybody houses in six years time, just like what Senator Enrile said, good luck na lang. You must be dreaming," he added.

Duterte weeks ago also criticized Pacquiao after the latter said the country's stance in the West Philippine Sea was lacking. 

He said Pacquiao should first study the issue before making any comment.  —NB, GMA News