CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE–Sharing that he had been a victim of several fake news in social media particularly one that says he was already dead, the People’s Champ, returning Senator Manny Pacquiao expressed strong commitment in passing of laws that will stop the spread of fake news in the media, more so in social media.
In a press conference of President Marcos Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates on Friday at Savano Hotel in this city, the world boxing champion turned politician said, one of the worst fake news about him that circulated in social media was that he was already dead.
To his surprise, many have posted their messages of heartfelt and deepest sympathies and condolences. “Sa Facebook nakapost doon, patay na daw ako. Sabi sa mga messages ng mga tao, hindi ka namin malilimutan,” the senator said.
Another fake news about him he said was that he was giving cash money to people through his staff or personnel. Using his name in social media, the official from General Santos City said many peopld were also asking for money from him.
“Kung ako po ay magbibigay ng pera, ako po mismo ang tatawag sa inyo, mag-video call po ako para makausap kayo. Pero hanggat hindi po ako tumatawag personally ay fake news lang po iyon at huwag po kayong maniniwala,” he told reporters.
Those are just some of the instances that he was made a victim of untrue news in social media. That’s why he joins his fellow senators in strongly pushing for the passage of anti-fake news law.
Scrap the middlemen in farmer’s produce
Pacquiao said he will also push for the passage of a law that will scrap the ill works of middlemen and the middlemen themselves who are behind the soaring high prices in the market of the produce of the farmers.
“Middle men ang kumikita, times 200 pa or more. P100 per kilo lang dapat kasi mababa lang ang kuha sa farm gate pero umaabot na sa P300 sa palengke dahil sa mga patong nila. Iyan ay hordinh ng mga middlemen,” he said.
“The government should really intervene. They can buy the produce of the farmers at farm gate price and sell it to the consumers at a similar fair price. “I-level up natin ang farmers para ma level up din sila at magkaroon ng encouragement,” Pacquiao also said.
“We will make programs para sa suporta at pagsulong ng murang pagkain para sa ating mga kababayan. Dati na tayong nakagawa ng ganitong mga batas para makontrol ang price at pagtaas ng bigas at iba pang produkto ng ating mga magsasaka”.
According to him, back then in Mindanao, before he became a champion boxer, a peso or a five peso was already of high value to them.
“Noong mahirap pa ako, sa P100 budget namin nandoon na ang ulam at bigas. Ang piso o 5 piso sa isang kilo ay malaking bagay sa mahihirap,” he added.
He assured all Filipinos of his continued champion moves in the senate in passing priority laws.
