Pacquiao to push for 'Filipino first' policy in employment if elected

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 10) — Senator Manny Pacquiao vows to prioritize Filipinos in employment if he wins the 2022 presidential race.

Pacquiao pointed out that while the law promotes local workers, more foreigners have been working in various sectors, particularly the offshore gaming industry. This is why he will "strenuously assert" a "Filipino first" policy when generating and securing jobs, he said.

Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution states the country "shall promote the preferential use of Filipino labor [....] and adopt measures that help make them competitive."

The presidential aspirant said the government should reassert such right of Filipinos, stressing the need to strengthen the economy amid the crisis.

"Hindi kasi maayos at malakas ang ekonomiya natin, kaya walang maibibigay na trabaho. Nagsara pa ang businesses natin na maliliit na dapat nagbibigay ng trabaho," he said.

[Translation: We are facing economic challenges, so we cannot provide any more opportunities for workers. Even small businesses, which help generate jobs, were closed down.]

Pacquiao also said he will strive to create a "more favorable and more welcoming" climate for foreign investors. He went on to boast of his connections, baring plans to tap at least five of his "wealthy" businessmen friends from other countries.

"May minimum na five investors akong kaibigan na gustong mag-invest sa bansa [....] Ang maganda [rito], ang gusto nila, Pilipino lang lahat ang magtatrabaho," Pacquiao said.

[Translation: I have at least five friends who are willing to invest in the Philippines. What's good is that they only want to hire Filipinos.]

"Ang goal ko, pagdating ng panahon, ang trabaho ang maghahanap ng tao, hindi ang tao ng naghahanap ng trabaho. Pagdating ng panahon, 'yung mga kababayan natin na napipilitan lang magtrabaho sa ibang bansa para maka-survive sa buhay na gusto nang bumalik dito ay pwede [nang] magtrabaho [rito]," he added.

[Translation: Ultimately, my goal is for us to have more employment opportunities than people looking for jobs, not the other way around. I hope, someday, our countrymen, who are only forced to work abroad, can return and work here instead.]