Presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao promised that if he wins president, he will build ‘mega prisons’ for corrupt officials as well as speedy resolutions on graft cases but was met with criticisms, Friday, November 5.
“Magpapatayo ako ng ‘MP’ o mega prison kasi sa dami ng mga corrupt baka hindi sila magkasya sa ordinaryong kulungan. Dapat three to six months masentensyahan na agad,” he said in a press statement.
Many opposed his promise over Twitter, pointing that it is the Sandiganbayan’s and the Ombudsman’s job to investigate corrupt officials.
Alam ba niya basic functions ng Sandiganbayan?
🙄— ToniSpeakeasy 🇵🇭 (@ToniSpeakEasy) November 5, 2021
Juskolawd. Meron na pong Sandiganbayan at Ombudsman. Maneee, kung gusto mo talaga tumulong, tulong lang. Wag ka na tumakbo.
— venice (@VenNotBen) November 5, 2021
Fuck Sandiganbayan right 🥴 https://t.co/K8zfj2UikU
— æspa Updates Bosnia & Herzegovina (@charli_sctex) November 5, 2021
The mandate of the Sandiganbayan is to probe and decide criminal and civil cases against government officials and employees accused of graft and corruption, and other offenses.
The Ombudsman, on the other hand, deals with complaints filed in any form or manner against officers or employees of the Government and its branches.
A Netizen even ridiculed Pacquiao, who is a senator and yet does not know the duties of the Sandiganbayan.
Senator di alam na may Ombudsman at Sandigang Bayan. Nong grade 6 ako alam ko na yan. Ay nag grade 6 ba siya?
— Matilda (@akoniawon) November 5, 2021
Meanwhile, a Twitter personality informed Pacquiao of the government branch but also threw some shade at Atty. Samuel Martires, the one who has kept the Statement, Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte private.
Tawag po dyan ay Sandiganbayad na pinamumunuan ng tagatakip ng SALN ni duterte na si Samuel Martires.
— Kulotissima (@kulotissima) November 5, 2021
Some even pointed that Pacquiao’s line was similar to Pres. Duterte when he promised to end drugs within three to six months into his term.
He just recycled Duterte's script from 2016. 😂 https://t.co/SB8VduNGIM
— Mel 🍉 (@peanutbuttercup) November 5, 2021
Hindi na po 2016 ngayon. Kahit papaano, naging mapanuri na at mulat ang mga nadala ng retorika ng nanalong Pangulo nung eleksyon na yun!!! https://t.co/GGLJtOphVJ
— RR (@OrlandoRoyce) November 5, 2021
https://twitter.com/veritasartemis/status/1456575915471687684
Pacquiao’s statement came after he visited Parañanque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez to “discuss the importance of local governments” as part of his push for federalism.
