Pacquiao says bets quitting race may join his team

Reiterating he will finish the presidential race until election day, Senator Manny Pacquiao instead urged other candidates reportedly planning to quit to join his campaign instead.

"Kung may balak silang umatras, umatras na lang sila, sumama sila sa akin. Dahil itong ipinaglalaban ko talagang tunay, 100%, hindi 99% kundi 100% na para sa tunay na pagbabago," he said in a sortie in Quezon City.

"Ang mahihirap ang ipinaglalaban ko, ang mga mahihirap ang tinitingnan ko na tulungan, na paunlarin din natin ang ating bansa," he added.

Pacquiao said he was not bothered by local government officials endorsing other presidential candidates.

"Okay lang 'yun, karapatan naman nilang pumili ng ieendorso nila. Pero hindi naman sa kanila lahat, meron din naman sa atin. At the end of the day, si Manny Pacquiao ang maging presidente," he said.

"Ang pagseserbisyuhan ko 'yung mga taong nangangailangan, 'yung sambayanang Pilipino, lahat ng mga Pilipino, lalong lalo na ang mga naghihirap," he added.

"'Yung mga mahihirap naman ang ipinaglalaban natin eh. At the end of the day hindi tayo makikipag-compromise," Pacquiao also said.

Denying reports that he was withdrawing from the race to support a rival, Pacquiao on Monday said only God can stop him from continuing his bid for the presidency.

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