Manny Pacquiao visited the WPS
Former senator and newly appointed National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Lead Convenor Manny Pacquiao urged Filipinos he described as “medyo traydor” to personally visit the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Pacquiao’s visit to Pag-asa Island in Palawan last Friday was aimed at providing livelihood assistance amounting to P500,000 to fishermen affected by the heightened tensions in the WPS.
Pacquiao started his career in the Philippine politics when he ran for Representative for South Cotabato back in 2007. However, in his first attempt, he did not win.
In 2010, he was eleced as the representative of Sarangani, and six years after that, he won a seat in the Philippine Senate.
Just recently, President Bongbong Marcos appointed Manny Pacquiao as the lead convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission.
Based on the report from Balita, in a media interview following his visit to the WPS on Friday, September 25, 2026, Pacquiao emphasized the need for the Filipino people to unite and fight for the territory belonging to the Philippines.
“Ang masasabi ko ang sa ating mga kababayan na magkaisa tayo. Doon sa mga Pilipino na nag-aalangan sa atin dito, dapat ipaglaban natin, magkaisa tayo,” the former senator said.
He explained that the lives sacrificed by heroes in the past to secure the country’s democracy would go to waste.
“Dahil sayang ang mga buhay na binuwis ng ating mga ninuno para tayo ay magkaroon ng demokrasya sa bansa natin. Buhay din ang binuwis nila para ipaglaban ang ating bansa,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao took a jab at Filipinos he described as “medyo traydor.” He suggested that they should personally visit Pag-asa Island and reflect on the situation, so they might realize that seizing one’s own home or territory is wrong.
“Sana huwag nilang kalimutan iyon. Doon sa mga Pilipino na medyo traydor, dapat pumunta kayo dito para maranasan ninyo. Dapat mag-isip sila nang mabuti. Atin ito. Hindi maganda na sariling mong tahanan tapos kukunin,” the former senator said.
Meanwhile, Manny Pacquiao did not specify the identities of the individuals he described as “medyo traydor.”
Pacquiao’s visit to Pag-asa Island in Palawan last Friday was aimed at providing livelihood assistance amounting to ₱500,000 to fishermen affected by the heightened tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
It will be recalled that Pacquiao officially took his oath of office on September 8, 2026, at Malacañang as the new Secretary and Lead Convenor of the NAPC.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., who serves as the NAPC Chairperson, administered Pacquiao’s oath-taking, which was witnessed by Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos.
