BY NICK GIONGCO
While acknowledging that the coronavirus is a formidable foe, fighting senator Manny Pacquiao on Saturday vowed to lend a hand to people severely affected by the worsening pandemic.
Saying he is “not afraid to die,” Pacquiao said he fears of looting in the coming weeks if the poor and those “living in the streets” don’t get fed.
“Chaos ‘yan. At ito ang kinakakatakutan ko na maaring mangyari,” said Pacquiao, who donated five buses to the government it efforts to ferry health workers around Metro Manila.
Pacquiao remains to be the most visible lawmaker making the rounds amid the coronavirus outbreak and the boxing champion insists that he won’t lower his guard down.
“If you are a leader, you have to be a frontliner,” said the 41-year-old Pacquiao, who is keenly awaiting the arrival of testing kits and face mask from China.
Notwithstanding the serious threats it poses to health, Pacquiao feels it is his duty to risk life and limb.
“Leader ka so you have to lead and let people see that you are with them,” he said “Hindi ka dapat magtago dahil takot ka mamatay.”
“I grew up poor kaya I know what they (poor people) feel,” he added.
With the entire world gripped by the pandemic, Pacquiao’s focus is on public service and that his boxing career will have to be sidelined for the meantime.
“Ito muna ang bigyan natin ng attention,” he said.
Pacquiao had earlier eyed a ring return in July but given the current situation, it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.
