Senatorial aspirant and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel Pacquiao on Friday took the cudgels for the embattled Vice President Jejomar Binay as he stood by his decision to run under the opposition United Nationalist Alliance.
“Why not Binay?” Pacquiao responded when asked by House reporters why he chose to run under UNA, as the congressman filed his candidacy for senator under UNA at the Commission on Elections head office in Manila on Friday. Pacquiao went to the Comelec fresh from a trip from New York where he was honored with the Asian Game Changer of the Year award.
“I hope we Filipinos will not be too judgmental. Our Constitution is explicit about this, Vice President Binay and even those already facing charges are innocent until proven guilty by a competent court,” Pacquiao said.
The eight division world boxing champion said Binay has to be accorded due process of law, such as “giving him an equal opportunity to defend himself from charges after undergoing fair trial.”
Pacquiao said Vice President Binay’s humble origin was the major factor that moved him to support the vice president’s candidacy by running as part of the UNA senatorial lineup.
“We both came from a poor family, we struggled with poverty. We both toiled to get to our current situation and we both believe we can inspire the poor,” Pacquaio said even as he played down graft accusations leveled against Binay and his family.
The Sarangani lawmaker also said he, close family members and religious and political advisers had sought “guidance” from God about his decision and intention to run in the Senate.
“I prayed for guidance from God, my family and close associates provided me good advice that would help me decide. We also contemplated on not running in any position but we all abandoned the idea for the sake of our countrymen” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao said his wife, Sarangani Vice Governor Jinky Pacquiao, will retire from politics to concentrate on their children.