PROMDI presidential candidate Sen. Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao vowed to go after land grabbers and abusive landowners who have exploited poor farmers and fisherfolk.

If he wins in May, Pacquiao said that he will push for the investigation of complaints of poor farmers whose lands have been forcibly taken by the rich and converted into residential subdivisions.

“Makikita nila sa first three years, kung papalarin tayo na manalo bilang pangulo, iyong mga lupa na inangkin ng iba, iyong mga lupang walang kakayahan ang may-ari na ipaglaban ang sarili, ibabalik natin sa kanila,” he said.

The senator said that many of those who have lost their lands are farmers who were delinquent in paying their real estate taxes due to lack of funds.

These lands, Pacquiao said, end up in the possession of wealthy developers who have connections with the Land Registration Authority and the Department of Agrarian Reform.

The senator said that he will also seek a review of the policies governing the disposition of lands, especially the areas that are considered for agricultural use, as well as land conversions that impacted negatively on the country’s food production capacity.

Pacquiao said he will also create a special agency that will handle the problems of farmers.