Lacson sees no issue with Pacquiao giving away money before campaign period

Presidential aspirant and Senator Manny Pacquiao’s distribution of cash aid is a not an issue for Senator Panfilo Lacson as long as it is not done during the Eleksyon 2022 campaign period.

In an ANC interview, Lacson, who is also vying for the country’s top post, pointed out that Pacquiao has been giving away cash from his own pockets for a long time already.

“In fairness to Senator Manny, he has been doing that...So ako, hindi issue sa akin kung namimigay si Senator Manny pero ibang usapan kapag ‘yung campaign period at namimigay ka ng pera may vote-buying aspect na ‘yon,” Lacson said.

(For me, it's not an issue if Senator Manny is giving away money but it is a different issue once we enter the campaign period and he is still giving away cash because there will be a vote-buying aspect.)

“Tama naman si Senator Manny, pera niya naman ang pinamimigay niya pero you know, ako somehow, a part of me parang nakikisimpatiya sa kanya because alam mo hindi naman infinite yung income ni Senator Pacquiao,” he added, mentioning the lawmaker’s recent retirement from boxing.

(Senator Manny was right. He was giving away his own money. Somehow, a part of me sympathizes with him because his income is not infinite.)

Lacson further said that Pacquiao’s deed should be appreciated.

“Ang masama ang hindi mo pera, tama siya, ninakaw mo o hindi mo pera tapos pinamumudmod mo…So what’s the difference between Senator Manny distributing part of his kinita sa boxing, maayos naman ang pamamaraan at yung namimigay siya years ago e dati naman niyang ginagwa ‘yon,” he said.

(What is wrong is when you distribute the money that you have stolen or is not yours. So what's the difference between Senator Manny distributing part of his income from boxing, the money that was earned in a right way, and he has been doing that years ago.)

On the other hand, Lacson said he is not in favor of the advice to take the money from politicians but vote according to their conscience.

“Sa diskarteng iyon, tingin ko parang mali. Tinuturuan natin ang mga tao to take advantage at alam natin ang ugali nating mga Pilipino malalim sa atin ang utang na loob, kasi kultura natin yan e,” he said.

(I thinks that is wrong. We are teaching people to take advantage and we all know that Filipinos always pay their debt of gratitude because that's part of our culture.)

Presidential aspirant and Vice President Leni Robredo earlier said that when faced with candidates trying to bribe them for their vote, Filipinos should take the money but vote for their preferred candidate.

Robredo eventually clarified her statement, saying she never condones vote-buying and she was only pointing out the realities on the ground.

Robredo's remark about accepting the money was similar to the position held by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, former Comelec Commissioner Christian Monsod, and former Vice President Jejomar Binay, among others.

Commission on Elections spokesperson James Jimenez previously reminded reminded the public that vote-buying is an election offense “regardless of financial situation or noble intentions.”  — BM, GMA News