Pacquiao corruption claim ‘complete surprise’ to Duterte

  MANILA – Senator Manny Pacquiao’s claim of growing corruption under Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte came as a “complete surprise”, according to the presidential palace on Tuesday (June 29). “I don’t think it was expected,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. “Actually, it was a complete surprise.” Roque pointed out that Pacquiao only started criticizing Duterte as the 2022 elections drew near. According to reports, Pacquiao is considering running for president in 2022. “If you have a complaint, say it so the President will be able to take an action. Otherwise, Senator Pacquiao is just politicking,” Roque said in Filipino. In a televised national address on Monday, Duterte challenged Pacquiao to name corrupt officials within one week to prove Pacquiao’s claim of worsening corruption in government. Duterte said he will campaign against Pacquiao if the boxer-turned-senator fails to prove his claim, and also threatened to expose the boxing champion as a liar. "I'm not saying there is no corruption, so expose it," Duterte said. "If you don't do that, I will expose you daily as a liar ... I know you from way back." In a statement on Tuesday, Pacquiao said he accepted Duterte's challenge. "I had mistakes in life that I corrected but I can hold on to two things: I am not corrupt and a liar," Pacquiao said. Earlier this month, Pacquiao criticized Duterte’s stand on the South China Sea as “lacking”, prompting the leader to describe Pacquiao’s foreign policy knowledge as “shallow”. CCP/Expat Media
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