Pacquiao vows arrest for scammers using his name

Tarlac City, TARLAC — Presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday vowed the arrest of scammers allegedly charging for campaign paraphernalia and cash incentives worth thousands of pesos.

At a media briefing here, Pacquiao received reports that some women at his campaign event in Candaba, Pampanga paid P250 for IDs bearing his image.

The women were then told to gather names of voters, in exchange for incentives ranging from P50,000 to P150,000 from the Pacquiao camp.

Pacquiao denied his camp's involvement in the scheme.

"Alam niyo, mga halang ang kaluluwa nitong mga ito eh. Kung iisipin natin 'yung mga binibiktima ninyo, isang kayod isang tuka ito, mga mahihirap ito tapos bibiktimahin mo?"

(These people have such tainted souls. If we think about their victims, these people are living hand to mouth and you're going to victimize them?)

"Mabuti sana kung mga bilyonaryo o mayayaman ang binibiktima mo. Pero masama pa rin 'yan," he added.

(It's one thing if they are victimizing billionaires or the rich, though it would still be evil.)

"Isipin mo, hindi ko akalain na may ganiyang mga tao, manloko ka ng tao para ipakain mo sa pamilya mo. Hindi ko lubos maisip na makayang gawin natin 'yan na galing sa pandurukot, 'yun ang gagamiting pangkain sa pamilya mo," Pacquiao said.

(I could not comprehend that there are those kinds of people, those who fool others to feed their families. I cannot totally comprehend that they can bear to do that, to use the money they stole to feed their families.)

Pacquiao vowed that the scammers will be arrested.

"Kaya nga sabi ko, ipahuhuli ko 'yung mga gumawa nito. Ipahuhuli ko. Kapag hindi ka lumantad diyan mapipilitan akong magbigay ng reward para ipahuli kita."

(That's why I said, I will order the arrest of those who are doing it. If they don't come forward I will be forced to offer a reward for their arrest.)

"Huwag niyong lokohin ang taong bayan, huwag niyong lokohin ang mga mahihirap dahil ako ang makakalaban ninyo. Gagawin ko ang lahat para disiplinahin kayong lahat," Pacquiao pleaded.

(Do not deceive the people, do not deceive the poor because I will be your enemy. I will do everything to discipline you all.) — BM, GMA News