Pacquiao: I'd withdraw from presidential race if God tells me

Only God can stop Senator Manny Pacquiao from continuing his bid for the presidency, the former world boxing champion and presidential candidate said on Monday.

At a news conference on the campaign trail in Manila, Pacquiao denied reports that he was withdrawing from the race to support a rival.

“The only thing na pwede ako mag-decide na hindi ako tumuloy? ‘Pag may conviction ang Panginoon sa akin na wag ka na tumuloy,” Pacquiao said.

“Sino ba naman ako para kontrahin ang Panginoon?” he added.

(The only that can make me decide not to run is if I receive a conviction from the Lord that I should not proceed… Who am I to oppose the Lord?)

Reports on the retired boxing champion dropping out of the presidential race circulated on social media with two names allegedly benefiting from his endorsement, his camp said.

The senator, however, reiterated he did not back down from any fight “inside or outside the ring.” 

“Baka gusto nila umatras at samahan na lang ako sa magandang adbokasiya ko para sa ating mamamayan,” Pacquiao said.

(They may want to withdraw and join me in my advocacies for Filipinos.)

The PROMDI standard-bearer said his candidacy still relied on faith, adding he would drop out of the race even days before the May 9 elections should he receive “instructions” from God.

“Baka sabihin nyo nagsisinungaling ako pero many times… Halos karamihan ng talo ko sa boxing, one week before napapanaginipan ko yan. Nananaginip ako ng resulta,” Pacquiao said.

(You may say I am lying but most of my defeats in boxing, I’ve already dreamt of.)

“Hindi yan kwento lang, may mga pinagsasabihan ako bago pa 'yung laban at exactly 'yung sinabi ko sa panaginip ko, 'yun ang nangyayari sa fight. Hindi lang isang beses 'yan ah. Maraming beses," Pacquiao said.

"Ganoon talaga siguro when you're praying to the Lord, God will give you conviction, instructions, signs,” he added.

(That is not just a story, I told several people about it before the fight and it happens exactly the way I envisioned it. It’s not just one time but numerous times…I think that’s what happens when you pray to God. He will give you conviction, instructions and signs.)

“‘Pag may conviction, ‘pag may pinakita sa 'kin ang Panginoon, eh, mag withdraw ako kahit two days before the elections or one day before. ‘Pag may instructions ang Panginoon sa 'kin susundin ko,” Pacquiao said.

(If there's a conviction from the Lord, I would withdraw even if it's only two days before or a day before the elections. If there's an instruction from the Lord, I will follow.)

Pacquiao said he would not think twice about doing so because he has no “vested interests” in his presidential run and solely wants to help poor Filipinos out of poverty. —NB, GMA News