If everything turns sour between Senator Manny Pacquiao and a faction of the PDP-Laban and this would force him to quit the ruling party, the country’s boxing icon will be welcomed by several groups that are convinced he would be an outstanding asset to their party.
This was gathered from a House of Representatives official even as Manila Rep. Manny Lopez said the Nationalist People’s Coalition is one party that would welcome the senator should he seek becoming its member.
Requesting anonymity, a senior House official said there are a number of political parties that are open to become Pacquiao’s destination should the squabble between two factions in the PDP-Laban escalate and result in his ouster.
`The House official noted that despite being the PDP-Laban president, Pacquiao is perceived to be the underdog in the party infighting that was triggered by the holding of an alleged unauthorized party national council meeting in Cebu City last Monday, May 31.
“You know how Filipinos love underdogs . They emerge victorious in the end,” the official said.
Pacquiao, who is eyeing the 2022 presidency, assailed party vice chairman and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi who organized the meeting without informing him, being the party president.
Cusi had insisted that it was President Rodrigo Duterte, the party chairman, that called for the meeting and that there is no need for him to advise Pacquiao about it.
“If things turn for the worse and Pacquiao feels he is unwelcome in the PDP-Laban, there is a possibility he would resign and join another party or form his own," the House official said.
One group that Pacquiao can go to is the NPC, a political party that was formed by the late former Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr.
“NPC will welcome him with warm, open hands,” Lopez said in a text message when asked if Pacquiao is welcome to the party that has remained among the most solid political groups in the country.
“Of course an accomplished athlete and public servant whose desire to serve the poor and the marginalized will be a stellar addition to our roster,” said Lopez, chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development.
Already, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, a senior member of NPC, has aired his intention to make a bid for the vice presidency.