No more cash handouts from Pacquiao once campaign period starts

Speaking in the Kapisanan ng Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) presidential candidates forum on Friday, Pacquiao said he will follow the guidelines set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the campaign period. 

He said that he is taking advantage of the time before the election period starts and while he is still not under the law. 

“Ngayong magka-campaign period na, tigil na po iyong pamimigay natin. Susunod po tayo sa kautusan ng Comelec,” the athlete-turned-senator said. 

Pacquiao has drawn flak for giving away money during his trip to the provinces. He insists, however, that the money is from his own pocket, adding that he has been giving cash handouts even before he became a politician. 

The Comelec earlier warned that giving away cash in the form of “ayuda” is considered vote-buying and will be banned once the campaign period begins.

Candidates for national positions are given a 90-day campaign period, beginning this February 8. Local position runners, on the other hand, will begin the campaign period on March 25. 

READ: Comelec: Cash ‘ayuda’ banned once campaign period starts 

Pacquiao is one of the five presidential candidates who attended the KBP presidential candidates forum on Friday. 

Other presidential bets, VP Leni Robredo, Sen. Ping Lacson, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, and labor leader Leody de Guzman were also present in the forum. Former Senator Bongbong Marcos declined the forum due to a conflict in his schedule. 

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