Presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao said Friday he would stop giving away money once the campaign period for the May 9 elections begins next week, insisting that he does not violate laws with the act.
The retired boxing champion, who earlier dared his rivals to share their wealth with an "Ayuda Challenge", said he could still give away cash aid until the official campaign period begins on Feb. 8.
"Wala pa pong eleksyon. Hindi pa po ako under sa batas at kaya po sinasamantala ko habang ano. Ngayon magka-campaign period na, tigil na po yung pamimigay natin ng ano (pera). Susunod po tayo sa kautusan ng Comelec (Commission on Elections) at ng gobyerno natin," Pacquiao said during a live forum for presidential candidates hosted by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.
"Hindi po ako lumalabag sa batas," Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao has been accused of vote-buying for giving away cash and goods but the senator said he has been doing it long before he was a politician.
The Comelec earlier said that election laws, including the prohibition on vote-buying, would only apply to official candidates once the campaign period has begun.
The senator has repeatedly insisted that he uses his own money for his relief activities, vowing to rid the government of corruption if elected president.
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