It seems there is no turning back in the breaking of the alliance between President Duterte and Senator Manny Pacquiao as even Presidential spokesman Harry Roque himself admitted it’s “obvious” the political party mates are not in good terms right now.
Asked whether the relationship between the two officials has turned sour, the Palace official said that he doesn’t even have to answer the question.
“I think it is rather obvious that the relationship between the President and Senator Pacquiao is not as cordial as it was,” Roque pointed out during his virtual press briefing on Tuesday, June 29.
Duterte’s challenge to the boxer-turned-senator is to “walk the talk.”
If Pacquiao has complaints about the government, the Palace official said he should discuss those with the President so the latter can take actions.
“Otherwise, talaga namumulitika lang daw si Senator Pacquiao (Senator Pacquiao is just really politicking), but I guess as far as question is concerned, natapon na po ang sabaw kung baga (the soup has been spilled),” he said.
Pacquiao is the president of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) while Duterte is its chairperson as the highest elected official in the party.
Not only are the two partymates, but the senator has also stood by Duterte amid various issues such as the bloody anti-drug war.
However, the falling out between the two started when Pacquiao criticized Duterte for his defeatist remarks against the maritime issues with China in the West Philippine Sea.
Just recently, the senator alleged that the current administration is more corrupt than its predecessors. The Chief Executive took offense, challenging Pacquiao to prove his claims.
Roque said that the falling out between Duterte and Pacquiao “was a complete surprise” to the President although “in realm of politics, anything is possible.”
He shared that Duterte has informed him that he personally wants his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, to run for president.
But if Duterte-Carpio doesn’t want, the President has his eyes on supporting Pacquiao’s candidacy since he has the numbers in terms of popularity. Among the other choices are Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and former Senator Bongbong Marcos, both of whom have not revealed plans to run next year.
“Hindi pa naman pini-preclude ni Presidente na pwede namang dati na maindorso pa si Senator Pacquiao pero hindi ata nakaantay si Senator Pacquiao (The President has not precluded yet that he can endorse Senator Pacquiao but it seems that Senator Pacquiao couldn’t wait),” Roque said.