Boxing icon and former senator Manny Pacquiao has once again gone viral—this time, not for a punch, but for a playful remark about his luxury watch that cleverly touches on the country’s hot topic of corruption.
In a Facebook Reels video posted by Roy Bacalso, the “Pambansang Kamao” was seen sitting beside his wife, Jinkee Pacquiao, when the camera zoomed in on his glittering, high-end wristwatch.
Without missing a beat, Pacquiao quipped: “Hindi ’yan flood control, ha.”
The line drew laughter from those in the room—and later, from thousands online—amid public outrage over the alleged misuse of billions of pesos in flood control projects.
In the comments section, social media users were quick to defend Pacquiao, lauding him for earning his wealth through years of blood, sweat, and sacrifice in the boxing ring.
“Never na sumama sa flood control si sir Manny—mas marami pa siyang pera kaysa sa mga nagnakaw ng flood control,” one commenter wrote. “Iba talaga ang pinag-hirapan, hindi galing sa kurakot,” added another.
Many also recalled how Pacquiao’s rise from poverty to becoming one of the world’s richest athletes remains an inspiring story of perseverance.
“Grabe hirap maging boxer—mukha, ulo, sikmura laging nakasalalay. Pero nalagpasan niya lahat yun, nagsikap siya,” one fan commented.
Others praised his humility despite his success: “Pinagpala siya ng Panginoon dahil mabait at hindi mayabang.”
Pacquiao’s viral quip comes as public outrage intensifies over revelations from recent Senate hearings that only 22 out of 1,700 planned classrooms were built last year, and that up to half of the ₱2 trillion allocated for flood control projects over the past 15 years may have been lost to corruption.
Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier claimed that kickbacks from these projects reached as high as 20%, implicating several politicians and government officials.
The controversy has since fueled nationwide protests and widespread calls for accountability, with celebrities like Anne Curtis, Nadine Lustre, Bianca Gonzalez, and Dingdong Dantes using their platforms to speak against corruption.
Before stepping into politics, Manny Pacquiao was already a global icon—the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight different weight divisions.
Turning pro at just 16, he rose to become a symbol of Filipino pride, earning accolades not just for his achievements but also for his charitable work and simple lifestyle despite his wealth.
He served as congressman for Sarangani (2010–2016) and senator (2016–2022) before running for president in 2022. Even today, Pacquiao remains beloved for his grounded humor—reminding Filipinos that some fortunes come from hard work, not from “flood control.”
