![Neophyte Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao (right) administers the oath of office of newly-elected Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III during the opening of the Senate session under the 17th Congress on Monday (July 25, 2016) at the Plenary Hall of the Senate Building in Pasay City. Also in photo are immediate members of the Pimentel family, including former Senate President Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. (center). (MNS photo)](http://www.balita.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/25pimentel1-300x200.jpg)
Neophyte Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao (right) administers the oath of office of newly-elected Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III during the opening of the Senate session under the 17th Congress on Monday (July 25, 2016) at the Plenary Hall of the Senate Building in Pasay City. Also in photo are immediate members of the Pimentel family, including former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. (center). (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Having a “godly leader” is the only solution to eradicate corruption in the country, newly-elected Senator Manny Pacquiao said on Monday.
“Kung maging godly leader lahat, yan lamang ang tanging solusyon para maiwasan ang korapsyon (Being godly leaders would be the only solution against corruption).” Pacquiao said in an interview at the Senate before the opening of the 17th Congress.
“Kung ang tao eh godly, may takot sa Panginoon, laging tapat yun sa paseserbisyo hindi gagawa ng kalokohan dahil ang takot niya eh nasa Panginoon. Ang Panginoon ay nakikita lahat ng galaw natin at lahat ng iniisip natin,” he added.
(If a person is godly, he is God-fearing,he would always be truthful in his service to the people and he won’t do anything suspect because of his fear of the Lord. The Lord knows all our actions and thoughts.)
Pacquiao reiterated his support for President Rodrigo Duterte, who will deliver his first State of the Nation Address this Monday afternoon.
He described Duterte as an honest public servant, saying he could vouch for it since he has known the President for a long time.
“Matalino naman yun si presidente, mataas ang IQ ni presidente so reresputihin natin ano man desisyon niya dahil, alam niyo kabisado ko si presidente,” said the senator.
“Tapat na public servant, gusto niya ng malinis na pagseserbisyo. Gusto niyang maunlad yung bansa natin, sigurado ako jan dahil matagal ko na siyang kakilala,” Pacquiao added.
(The President is intelligent, his IQ is high, so we will respect whatever his decisions may be, I know him well.
He is an honest public servant, he wants clean service. He wants our country to progress, I am sure of it because I’ve known him for a long time.)
The neophyte senator is now part of the so-called “supermajority” bloc in the Senate.(MNS)