Thread by @rapplerdotcom

Rappler reporter @reyaika speaks to business magnate Salvador “Buddy” Zamora about leading Pacquiao’s team – what needs to be done a few weeks away from elections as well as the current issues surrounding the boxing champ’s campaign. #PHVote #WeDecide

@reyaika Zamora on the campaign: I think we're doing well. In our surveys we're actually #2. Not that others will believe it, but we tend to believe it because of the turnout we're getting as we travel around the country.

#RapplerTalk:

@reyaika Zamora says their team commissioned surveys that showed Pacquiao ranking second among presidential bets: Not that others will believe it, but we tend to believe it because of the turnout we're getting as we travel around the country.

#RapplerTalk:

@reyaika Zamora: We do the conventional survey – usual [sample] is 1,200-2,400. Frankly in my opinion this is too small a sample to be able to say who's #1 or #2, considering we have 67 million voters.
#PHVote #WeDecide #PHVotePacquiao

#RapplerTalk:

@reyaika Zamora says their survey results are what keeps Pacquiao going: Wherever we go, people come spontaneously, unlike the other groups, where they have been caught on camera distributing money. #PHVote #WeDecide #PHVotePacquiao

#RapplerTalk:

@reyaika Zamora on supporting Pacquiao: In March 2021, I heard he wanted to run for president. I myself went to him.... He was willing to run against the expected pres'l candidate Sara Duterte. I thought it took a lot of guts to be running against the daughter of the President.

@reyaika Zamora on being Pacquiao's campaign manager: I applied for the position. I asked [Pacquiao], would you consider me as your campaign manager? #PHVote #WeDecide #PHVotePacquiao

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@reyaika Zamora on Pacquiao's more aggressive stance on the Marcoses, corruption issues: Pacquiao is really anti-corruption. That is his main agenda. #PHVote #WeDecide #PHVotePacquiao

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@reyaika Zamora: He sees corruption as what keeps the people poor. Instead of gov't funds going to social services and uplifting our citizens, they go to the pockets of the corrupt gov't officials. #PHVote #WeDecide #PHVotePacquiao

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@reyaika Zamora on Pacquiao-Duterte rift: I don't think he was directing the anti-corruption issue vs the President. The relationship soured when there was this conflict of PDP-Laban. He was removed by the Cusi faction as president. #PHVote #WeDecide

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@reyaika Zamora on Pacquiao running under PROMDI party: They tried to get PDP-Laban, but instead the PDP-Laban did not get a candidate for president or vice president. #PHVote #WeDecide #PHVotePacquiao

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@reyaika Zamora on PDP fiasco: We were united then under the presidency of Pacquiao in PDP-Laban. And then some usurpers came in and took the party away from us. #PHVote #WeDecide #PHVotePacquiao

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@reyaika Zamora says Pacquiao and the PROMDI party share the same objectives: shift to federalism and local autonomy of LGUs. #PHVote #WeDecide #PHVotePacquiao

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@reyaika Zamora on local officials supporting other candidates' bid: It's a grassroots campaign that we're running. We go direct to the people. It's difficult to be dealing with governors, mayors because they would be beholden to those who dispense funds. #PHVote

@reyaika Zamora: We are at a disadvantage because we are operating on personal funds of the senator and myself. #PHVote #WeDecide #PHVotePacquiao

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@reyaika Zamora: At this point we haven't received much [financial] support from other businessmen or groups. We just rely on our own. We are faith-based. We say God will provide. If He only provides us with so much, we will make do with what we have.
#RapplerTalk:

@reyaika Zamora: When it comes to the presidency, we believe it's the choice of God – whether to reward the country with a righteous leader, or we're in for another six years of the same thing. #PHVote #WeDecide #PHVotePacquiao

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@reyaika Zamora: We rely on our volunteers, religious groups to support us on election day and to watch over our votes. #PHVote #WeDecide #PHVotePacquiao

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@reyaika Zamora on withdrawal rumors: I don't know who have approached Pacquiao, but in my case I have been approached several times if there's a possibility of us backing out. #PHVote #WeDecide #PHVotePacquiao

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@reyaika Zamora on withdrawal rumors: I don't see any logic in running a campaign and then backing out at the last minute. #PHVote #WeDecide #PHVotePacquiao

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@reyaika Zamora categorically dispels rumors that Pacquiao will withdraw: I can assure you these are all fake news. If there's anybody who will withdraw from the race, it won't be us. We will stay the course. #PHVote #WeDecide #PHVotePacquiao

#RapplerTalk:

@reyaika Pacquiao says if he gets a sign from God, he will withdraw. Does it still hold true?

Zamora: Yes. He relies on divine guidance all throughout. Team Pacquiao also has its faith in God. #PHVote #WeDecide #PHVotePacquiao

#RapplerTalk:

@reyaika Was there a specific camp that asked Pacquiao to withdraw?

Zamora alludes to Robredo camp without mentioning names: The logical team to ask, that is the #2. So that if we were to add our numbers to theirs, perhaps they would draw nearer to the #1.

@reyaika Zamora on Pacquiao skipping the joint Easter presser: He wanted to go. If we had time to advise our candidate, we would have advised him to stay away from it. But that was his decision. We're not privy to the conversation between him and Senator Lacson.

@reyaika Zamora says circumstances prevented him from attending the Easter presser: His plane was not allowed to land. [It] landed when the press con has already terminated. #PHVote #WeDecide #PHVotePacquiao

#RapplerTalk:

@reyaika Zamora says it was good that Pacquiao wasn't able to make it to the presser: The results speak for themselves. The outcome received a lot of flak. I didn't hear anything positive at all from the presscon. Even the venue was a subject of [criticism].

@reyaika Would Pacquiao still sign the presidential bets' joint statement?

Zamora: I don't believe so. Besides, I don't know how much he knew about that joint statement, or if he was apprised of the agenda. #PHVote #WeDecide #PHVotePacquiao

#RapplerTalk:

@reyaika Zamora says Pacquiao has what it takes to become the next Philippine president: Otherwise I wouldn't have volunteered my services as his campaign manager. He has served as congressman, as senator. He was the one who put PH on the map.

#RapplerTalk:

@reyaika Zamora: [Pacquiao] can bring in a lot of investments just from his billionaire friends who are willing to invest in the Philippines in case he wins. We have a lot going on for him. #PHVote #WeDecide #PHVotePacquiao

#RapplerTalk:

@reyaika That's a #wRap! Watch this episode of #RapplerTalk here: