Pacquiao: Drug users are victims of circumstances in life, must be given second chance

Presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday said drug users are victims of circumstances in life and they must be given a second chance.

The lawmaker made the statement after he was quoted saying he was a “naive” drug user.

“Sino ba sa atin ang walang nagawang kasalanan? Mahirap po ang aking pinagdaanan [Who among us has not sinned? I've been through difficult times].  The reality is drug users are victims of circumstances in life and they must be given a second chance.  Let’s jail the big-time drug traffickers and save the users,” Pacquiao said in a statement.

The lawmaker, known for his rags-to-riches story, recalled that he lived alone and toiled at a young age to make ends meet.

“Kapag mahirap ka at ignorante sa buhay, hindi mo alam ang layunin ng mga taong iyong makakasalamuha at papakisamahan. At kapag bata ka,  may mga taong pagsasamantalahan ang iyong murang isipan,” he said.

(If you are poor and you are still ignorant, you don't know the intentions of the people you deal with. When you are young, there are people who will take advantage of your ignorance.)

“But God works in mysterious ways.  Di Niya po ako pinabayaang magumon sa bisyo…Tinalikuran ko ang madilim na bahagi ng aking nakaraan at ako ay nagsikap na baguhin ang aking buhay,” he added.

(But God works in mysterious ways. He didn't let me waste my life with these vices. I turned my back from the dark phase of my life and I worked hard to change my life.)

Pacquiao said he had trained and worked hard to become a great boxer and continuing the sport, especially at the international level, requires a regular anti-doping test.

“Mahigpit at masinsin ang test na isinasagawa kaya hindi ka makakalusot kapag gumagamit ka ng kahit anong uri ng ipinagbabawal na droga. Kahit mga regulated na gamot at mga performance enhancing drugs ay mahigpit na ipinagbabawal,” Pacquiao explained.

(The test that we take is very strict and keen. You won't pass it if you are using any type of drug or even the regulated drugs, as well as the performance-enhancing drugs.)

“Lahat po tayo ay may hindi magandang nakaraan. I have asked God to forgive me for all the wrong things that I have done. Ang mas mahalaga ay matuto tayo sa ating nakaraan upang mapabuti ang ating kinabukasan,” he ended.

(Everyone has a dark past. I have asked God to forgive me for the wrong things that I have done. What is important is we've already learned our lessons so that we could have a better future.)

The issue of drug use was floated after President Rodrigo Duterte claimed that a presidential aspirant is allegedly using cocaine.

Pacquiao’s camp said he has tested negative twice this year for cocaine and methamphetamine use after taking an anti-dope tests from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).

Last Monday, presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson and his running mate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, also subjected themselves to voluntary drug testing.

Another presidential aspirant, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. said Tuesday that he took a cocaine test and submitted the negative result to law enforcement agencies.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno asked the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to conduct a drug test on him.

Senator Bong Go said he wanted a "complete" drug test to show that he is “fit” to lead the country.

Meanwhile, Vice President Leni Robredo said she is open to undergo a drug test any time, but that this should be “random” and “unannounced.”

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) had stated that substance abuse is not  grounds for a candidate’s disqualification. — BM, GMA News