Mix Philippine politics with religion, throw in sports and a bit of showbiz, add in a suprisingly successful musical career — and what have you got? Manny Pacquiao.
The world-class athlete, best known for being the only eight-division world champion in boxing, delivered his first privilege speech at the Philippine Senate on Mon, Aug 8.
In spite of his mediocre performance as a congressman, the boxer-turned-politician was elected as senator last May.
He wrote the 14-minute speech himself, Philippine Star reports.
It had a dramatic intro and a strong Biblical tone. Pacquiao is known to be intense about his religious belief.
The general theme? That he backs President Rodrigo Duterte’s plans to revive the death penalty in the Philippines.
For the new senator, death penalty is a “lawful, moral, and sanctioned governmental action,”
”Having read the Bible on a regular basis, I’m convinced that God is not just a God of mercy, but he is also a God of justice,” he added.
He said he saw no contradiction between his beliefs and his support for the death penalty.
Addressing critics of the proposal, he said: “God allows the death penalty to discipline the people and to punish those wrongdoers.”
Pacquiao, also a pastor, did not shy away from quoting Biblical verses, which he knew by heart.
“Sa Exodus 21:12, sinasabi ng banal na Bibliya na: Ang nanakit sa isang tao, na anopa’t mamatay, ay papataying walang pagsala (the Holy Bible says: Whoever hurts a person who died would also be killed),” he said.
When asked about which form of execution he thinks is best, Pacquiao said he has yet to decide.
”Nananaig po ang hanging o firing squad. Sisipain lang po ang upuan eh (I’m thinking death by hanging or firing squad. Because somebody will just have to kick the chair),” he said.
Pacquiao stood his ground as six more experienced senators questioned him during the interpollation.
Liberal Party senator Leila de Lima, who has long opposed death penalty, said there are other ways of ”minimizing” crimes triggered by the use of illegal drugs.
Senator Risa Hontiveros called out Pacquiao for supporting death penalty in spite of his visit to Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina who is in death row in Indonesia.
Pacquiao said that verdicts of death penalty may be appealed before the Supreme Court anyway.
He also emphasized that under the Duterte administration, everyone will be treated equally.
Filipino netizens who weren’t happy with Pacquiao’s speech expressed their disappointment through the micro-blogging site Twitter.
Here are some of their best reactions:
Should you still want to listen to his entire speech, here is the full video form Inquirer.
