Pacquiao says he stopped wearing face mask vs. COVID-19

Presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao on Friday said that he would no longer wear a face mask as a measure against COVID-19

He expressed confidence that the COVID-19 pandemic would soon be over.

"Kung ako kasi ang tanungin mo, hindi na ako nagma-mask dahil mahihirapan akong huminga 'pag nagmamask," Pacquiao said when asked by reporters if he favored wearing a face mask under Alert Level 0.

(If you will ask me, I no longer wear a face mask, I have difficulty breathing if I wear a mask.)

"Wala na, hindi na ako natatakot diyan (COVID-19). Kumpyansa na ako na totally wala na talaga 'yan," he added.

(I no longer fear COVID-19. I am confident COVID-19 pandemic is totally over.)

Pacquiao was asked for his basis on his confidence on no longer wearing a face mask.

"Unang una may tiwala ako sa Panginoon, at natapos na 'yan. Hindi lamang sa sarili kundi nagdadasal din ako para sa taong bayan na maalis na itong [COVID] at maproteksyunan sila palagi," Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao said improvements in COVID-19 numbers over the past months might have resulted in the government thinking about Alert Level 0.

"Siguro nakikita natin ang improvement, para maibalik ang kumpiyansa ng tao, makapaghanapbuhay nang walang takot, at maka-recover na."

(We see an improvement. It might be implemented to restore the confidence of the people, for them to work without fear, and recover.)

But whether he agrees if an Alert Level 0 should be implemented, Pacquiao said: "Respetuhin natin ang desisyon [ng gobyerno], sila naman ang nakakaalam."

(Let's respect the decision of the government, they know the best decisions.)

Pacquiao met with the Liga ng mga Barangay Regions 4A and B to discuss his plans for the country should he win the presidency in the May elections. —NB, GMA News