Philippine boxing icon turned presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao vowed Friday to protect Filipino fishermen from being “bullied” by Chinese coastguards in the disputed South China Sea if elected president. Pacquiao said that he would deploy navy ships to the disputed area of the sea, where Chinese coastguard vessels have repeatedly harassed and driven away Filipino fishermen, if he won the presidency in the May 9 election. “I dare you, bother the Filipino fishermen and I’m the one you would have to face,” he said in an interview with Reuters. “To be bullied is not in my vocabulary.” [Reuters] Pacquiao also expressed his admiration for the Philippines’ relationship with the United States, a country he referred to as “our best friend.” The retired boxer is trailing in fourth place at 6 percent in the presidential survey conducted by Pulse Asia, well behind Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who is leading with 56 percent. …