Pacquiao used drugs as a teen but supports Duterte

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine senator and 8-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao admitted that he used all kinds of drugs as a teenager but backs President Rodrigo Duterte in his war on drugs, according to a report by Reuters.

“The President, he doesn’t know my experience with drugs,” said the 37-year-old Pacquiao, who is confident that the reveal will not tarnish his close relationship with Mr Duterte.

“He always gives a chance to people who want to be changed,” Pacquiao said about Duterte during a Reuters interview in his Senate office.

“I tried drugs… many kinds of drugs, all kinds of drugs,” explained the boxing icon, who added that the phase took place before he became a champion. 

The war on drugs has been the focus of President Duterte since he took over office on June 30. More than 3,000 alleged drug users and dealers have been killed since – either in vigilante killings, summary executions or police operations.

Reuters said the friendship between Duterte and Pacquiao goes back to at least 15 years when the now president, who used to be the mayor of Davao City, helped organize one of Pacquiao’s fights.

“He helped me a lot. He helped me with the promotion when I started in boxing. One of my fights held in Davao, he sponsored it,” the senator told Reuters. “He helped me with the promotion, financially as well.”

It’s not fair to blame Duterte for the killings, he said. “God put him there for a reason, for purpose – to discipline the people,” Pacquiao told Reuters.

“In the past administrations, people didn’t respect the law, the leader, the authorities. What Duterte is trying to do is let the people know – and put it in their hearts and minds – than you need to respect the law of the land.”

After initially announcing his retirement following a win over Timothy Bradley Jr., Pacquiao has decided to return to boxing and will face WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas in November. – Rappler.com