Pacquiao urges Filipinos to rally behind Pres. Duterte
By Aquiles Z. Zonio
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 14 Jul 2016
BACOLOD CITY ? Senator Manny Pacquiao came to the defense of President Rody Duterte who recently named five ranking police officials as alleged protectors of drug syndicate operating in the country.
?President Duterte will not name names without strong bases. He knows what he is talking about. His intelligence team is efficient and extensive,? Sen. Pacquiao said.
In his speech at the 69th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), President Duterte named former Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy director general Marcelo Garbo, Jr. as alleged protector of drug syndicates in the country.
Duterte identified the others as Vicente Loot, Bernardo Diaz, Edgardo Tinio, and Joel Pagdilao.
Garbo and Loot have retired from the PNP.
Loot is the newly elected mayor of Daanbantayan town in Cebu.
Diaz was director of the Police Regional Office 6, Tinio was director of the Quezon City Police District Office and Pagdilao was director of the National Capital Region Police Office.
?Our President is serious in stamping out drug problem in our country during his term. We need to rally behind him in order for this advocacy to succeed,? Sen. Pacquiao said.
Sen. Pacquiao made the statement during his media interview in Bacolod City.
The Senator from Sarangani was invited by Bacolod City Mayor Emilio ?Bing? Leonardia to administer his oath of office.
The ceremony, which was also attended by outgoing Senate President Franklin Drilon and presumptive Senate President Aquilino ?Koko? Pimentel III, was held right at the Bacolod City Hall.
Sen. Drilon administered the oath-taking of the elected congressmen from Bacolod, Iloilo City and Negros Oriental, while Sen. Pimentel led the oath of office by the winning vice mayor and city councilors of Bacolod.
Both Drilon and Pimentel vowed to help Bacolod regain its lost economic momentum.
The City of Smiles experienced economic doldrums starting 2013 when Leonardia stepped out of the city hall after completing his three consecutive terms.
Leonardia vied for the mayoral post last May 9 elections and won by a wide margin over his political archrival former mayor Monico Fuentebella.
Meanwhile, Sen. Pacquiao was optimistic the Duterte administration will be able to achieve reforms it has envisioned for the Philippine society.
?President Duterte is at the twilight stage of his life. I?m sure, he?s concerned about the kind of legacy he?s going to bequeath not just to his family but to the future generations and to the country as a whole,? Sen. Pacquiao said.
Top photo: Sen. Emmanuel D. Pacquiao administers the oath of office of Bacolod City Mayor Bing Leonardia.
Sen. Emmanuel D. Pacquiao with the family of Bacolod City Mayor Bing Leonardia.
Photos by Aquiles Z. Zonio.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Aquiles Z. Zonio.
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