Presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao said the Marcoses would become the "wealthiest family in the world" should his rival Bongbong Marcos win in the May 9 elections, allowing the resurgent clan to keep their ill-gotten wealth.
The Marcoses would scrub clean all allegations of wrongdoing that stemmed from the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s two-decade-long rule, should his son and namesake reclaim Malacañang, Pacquiao said during a campaign stop in Iloilo province.
"Sila ang magiging wealthiest family in the world kasi malilinis nila," said the retired world champion boxer-turned senator in a press conference, a portion of which was shown in a Twitter video from ABS-CBN's Sherrie Ann Torres.
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"Gustong gusto nila makabalik bakit? Unang una abswelto sila sa ano nila sa gobyerno sa taxes. Pangalawa. ito ang pinaka talagang goal, nakikita kong goal. Correct me if I'm wrong. Pag sila nabalik sa power, yung mga nakadispute na ari-arian, kayamanan na trillion-trillion na gold deposit, lahat 'yan malilinis na yan at kaya na nilang i-transfer sa sariling account nila sa personal account nila," said Pacquiao, who is funding his presidential campaign from his boxing earnings.
"Lilinis lahat, yung dispute ng issue ng corruption yung wealth na nakadeposito, lahat yan malilinis at lahat mapupunta sa kanila," he said.
Pacquiao is fighting with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno for third place in a race that is dominated by Marcos, according to surveys.
Poll second-placer Leni Robredo on the other hand has commanded tens of thousands in campaign rallies and secured the endorsement of local officials, including those who support Marcos' vice president, Sara Duterte.
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Earlier this week, Pacquiao said he was willing to withdraw his candidacy if there's a sign from God.
Pacquiao is a devout Christian who turned away from a life of gambling, boozing, and womanizing during his boxing peak to become a family man and one of the Senate's most conservative members, once likening members of the LGTBQIA+ community to "animals".