MANILA – Boxing champion-turned-politician Manny Pacquiao has expressed support for programs of the of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The former senator was a vocal critic of the Marcos family during the 2022 elections.

He even vowed to strengthen efforts to recover billions of wealth missing since the fall of the Marcos dictatorship.

"All out support ako sa programa ng Pangulo. Wala naman masama sa programa ng Pangulo, para naman ito sa kinabukasan at kaunlaran ng bansa, bakit hindi natin suportahan," he said.

"Ang problema lang talaga natin nagagamit tayo ng mga ganid na pulitiko, yung mga magnanakaw na pulitiko diyan, binabrainwash tayo para magaway away tayo. Sa totoo lang, lahat ng programa ng Pangulo maganda. Suportahan natin para sa kinabukasan natin," the boxing champion explained.

Pacquiao made the statement after he filed his certificate of candidacy on Monday.

"Maganda nga ang programa ng ating Pangulo ngayon dahil nga sa Bagong Pilipinas, binibigyan ng emphasis yung bawat pamilya magkaroon ng hanapbuhay, magkaroon ng income, at siyempre mapalago ang ating ekonomiya. Yun po ang dapat isipin natin ng mabuti," he told reporters.

After being rivals with Marcos Jr. for the top seat in the 2022 polls, Pacquiao is now in the senatorial slate endorsed by the chief executive for the upcoming elections.

Pacquiao was asked what prompted the change of heart from the previous elections.

"Ganun naman. Lahat naman may karapatan tumakbo. So nagkataon sabay-sabay kami tumakbo at siya pinili ng taongbayan. Respetuhin natin yan. Binoto ng taong bayan," he answered.

The former senator was asked about what he think went wrong in his presidential bid.

"Siguro sa dami ng ano namin, sa dami naming tumakbo at siyempre hindi pa napapanahon siguro. Pero ako sinaabi ko sa inyo, nandito ako tatayo para labanan ang corruption," Pacquiao said.

Meantime, the boxer was questioned about his absences while he was in public office.

"May mga absent tayo sa previous Congress, pero hindi naman masyadong marami. Minsan absent ako dahil nasa probinsya ako. Nagiikot ako dahil may mga problema. Yun po ang absent natin, trabaho din yun, tulong natin sa tao," Pacquiao said.

"Full-time naman tayo palagi pag dating sa serbisyo, sa trabaho," he added.

Pacquiao vowed to continue his "advocacy" to fight corruption in government if re-elected as Senator.

"Dapat magkaisa tayo, tulungan natin yung magandang adbokasiya ng gobyerno, huwag natin kalabanin," he urged.

"Ang makikita nila ipagpatuloy yung pag laban natin sa corruption at imbestigahan lahat ng mga nagnanakaw sa gobyerno. Inumpisahan natin yan sa Senado tayo," Pacquiao said.