Pacquiao condemns foreign election interference: ‘Fight for the Philippines’
BONGAO, TAWI-TAWI — Former Senator Manny Pacquiao leads a Nationalist Call Amid Foreign Interference fears of foreign meddling in the upcoming May 12 midterm elections, urging Filipinos to reject any influence that threatens the country’s sovereignty—especially from China.
Pacquiao condemned the reported use of Chinese troll farms and social media manipulation allegedly designed to sway Filipino voters.
“Huwag magpa-impluwensiya. Ipinaglaban ng ating mga ninuno ang kalayaan. Huwag natin itong isuko ngayon. Patunayan natin sa boto kung sino ang tunay na makabayan,” Pacquiao declared.
Pacquiao’s remarks come in the wake of alarming reports from the National Security Council (NSC) and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), which flagged ongoing state-sponsored disinformation campaigns linked to China.
These include over 300 fake social media accounts allegedly contracted by the Chinese embassy to manipulate public perception.
A Senate investigation led by Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino earlier revealed a cheque from the Chinese embassy to a local marketing firm believed to be behind the coordinated operations.
The goal: to promote pro-China candidates and discredit national figures pushing for a stronger maritime defense and nationalistic policies.
Pacquiao on this issue stressed the need to protect the Philippines’ democratic process.
Pacquiao wants to advocate a nationalist policy, tying his campaign to support the implementation of the country’s new maritime law or Philippine Maritime Zones Act (Republic Act No. 12064) aimed at strengthening patrols, expanding fisherfolk protection, and asserting Philippine jurisdiction in contested waters.
“Bansa natin ito, teritoryo natin ito. Hindi ito lugar ng pandayuhang interes. Ang atin ay atin!” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao emphasized firmly in the camp of candidates defending the Philippine flag.
“Prinsipyo natin na dapat kaibigan at nakikipagtulungan tayo sa mga bansa sa mundo, pero hindi tayo papa-bully o papaapi. Hindi lang ito laban sa eleksyon—ito ay laban para sa ating kinabukasan bilang isang malayang bansa. Para sa Pilipino, para sa malayang Pilipinas.”
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