MANILA (Reuters) — More than 10 billion pesos ($204 million) in pandemic aid intended for poor Philippine families is unaccounted for, boxer-turned-senator Manny Pacquiao said on Saturday, adding this was just one of the discoveries in his corruption investigation.
Pacquiao on Thursday accepted Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s challenge to show evidence of corruption in his government, and the boxing superstar said his findings about missing funds were the tip of the iceberg.
“That is just one of the things I have discovered. It has only been three days since I accepted your challenge to present proof,” said Pacquiao, who found himself in Duterte’s crosshairs after he railed at alleged corruption in government as well as the president’s friendly relationship with China.
Irene Dumlao, spokesperson at the Department of Social Welfare and Development which is overseeing the distribution of cash aid, said the agency would cooperate with any investigation.
“There are many families who are hungry and yet billions and billions of [pesos] are being stolen in government,” Pacquiao said in a virtual briefing, pointing to documents on his desk.
Pacquiao, 42, had long been among Duterte’s strongest supporters, but is seen as a possible contender when the leader’s six-year term ends next year.
“You should not be mad at me,” Pacquiao told the president before leaving the country to prepare for a fight next month. “I only wanted to help.”
Pacquiao alleged the intended beneficiaries of 10.4 billion pesos worth of cash aid did not receive anything, but records showed they did. “Where did the money go?” he asked.
On Thursday, President Duterte said, “When you are a champion in boxing, it does not mean to say that you are a champion in politics. He is blubbering his mouth.”
Duterte asked why the boxer-turned-lawmaker was only talking about corruption now, and said he should focus on investigating graft rather than leaving the country to prepare for a fight next month.
“I would say that you are s**t,” Duterte said. “Start investigating. Comply first with your duty as senator. Don’t be absent.”
Pacquiao and Duterte belong to the same political party, which is urging the president to run for vice president next year.
Philippine senator and boxer Manny Pacquiao speaks during a congressional confirmation hearing in the Senate chamber in Manila on May 2, 2017.
