Presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday unveiled his economic team, which would help him achieve his target of uplifting the lives of Filipinos.
“If elected to the presidency, my economic team composed of respected and competent people will implement a sound and viable economic development program that will truly address the poverty issue by creating more employment opportunities,” assured the standard bearer of PROMDI.
Pacquiao’s priority is to create a strong economic team as he noted the biggest challenge the next administration would face is the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the lingering problem of the territorial dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea.
His economic team would be led by his campaign manager Salvador “Buddy” Zamora, a successful businessman and an expert in banking, mining, agriculture, and telecommunications, among others. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from New York University (NYU).
Another key member is Mimo Osmeña, the chairman of the Cebu-based Promdi political party. He is the son of former Cebu Gov. Lito Osmeña, better known as the “Father of Ceboom” used to describe the province’s economic boom in the 1990s.
Osmeña holds degrees in BS Physics and MBA Marketing from San Francisco State University. He is also president of MRC Allied Industries, which is into property development, and is a trustee of Cebu International School.
Pacquiao has also recruited Noel “Toti” Cariño to help him realize his goal of providing free housing for the poor. He is the chairman and president of Fil-Estate Realty Corp., which has put up a number of subdivisions in the country.
The senator likewise tapped Gary Vasquez, a pioneer in manufacturing prefabricated homes for low- to middle-income classes as part of his economic team.
Also being considered are banking and insurance expert Luis Benitez, a former Senior Partner in SGV, and Dean Cambe, a former member of the US Navy who now owns and manages VIP Jet Services in the US, a company engaged in leasing jets and helicopters.
Pacquiao would also reach out to UP Professor and political scientist Dr. Clarita Carlos to help him deal with the West Philippine Sea issue.
He noted that Dr. Carlos’ view on the WPS issue is in line with his position that constant bilateral and multilateral dialogues hold the key to securing a favorable resolution of the conflict, which if managed properly can bring immense wealth to the country.
Pacquiao also said he would pursue his vision to end corruption and uplift the lives of the poor by surrounding himself with honest, competent, dedicated, and God-centered people who would help him fulfill his commitment to the people.
He likewise revealed his first executive order will be the creation of a Mega Prison which would be used to imprison corrupt government officials.
He said his second EO will also be on his strong campaign against corruption but he refused to provide details so that the subjects of this order will not be able to see it coming.
Pacquiao also vowed to push for sweeping reforms in the agricultural sector by amending the Rice Tariffication Law, which is punishing a lot of Filipinos.