Sen. Manny Pacquiao gets a taste of yogurt from carabao milk at the Philippine Carabao Center in Science City of Munoz. Photo by Armand Galang
SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ — Presidential candidate Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao vows to work as hard as a carabao if only to deliver his promises once elected on May 9.
Pacquiao who got briefed on the operations of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) and dairy industry here said he had to work like “kayod-kalabaw” (farmers working hard from sunrise to sunset) as more problems like skyrocketing oil prices and Russia-Ukraine war pile up in the run-up to the elections.
“More than a carabao pa, kasi ang kalabaw ay namamahinga pag gabi,” Pacquaio said. He noted that he also has the advantage of being physically strong among all the candidates.
“Kayod ako para ipakulong ang mga kawatan. Kayod ako para palakasin yung ekonomiya natin. Kayod ako para mabigyan ng sariling tahanan ang bawat pamilya. Kayod ako para makapagbigay ng trabaho sa sambayanang Pilipino,” he said.
He added he can work beyond 24 hours even as one of his rivals Vice President Leni Robredo has been reported working for as long 18 hours a day. One should never count his work hours, he said.
The boxing icon belittled the P5,000 assistance being extended by the Department of Agriculture as aid to farmers. On top of being not enough, not all farmers benefit from program, he explained.
He reiterated his promise to run after smugglers and to stop the importation of agricultural products.
Pacquiao also maintained only fools will vote for a thief.
The senator bought baskets of dairy products at PCC and tasted some products, saying it’s time to make them global.
“Ang sarap. Dapat nating tangkilikin,” he said.
From this city, Pacquiao met hundreds of residents at a gym in Barangay Sto. Tomas, San Jose City and motored to Guimba town, one of the biggest municipalities in Nueva Ecija.
