The camp of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi in the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) has reached out to Senator Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao and is considering him to be part of the senatorial ticket of the ruling political party in the 2022 national elections.
According to Cusi, Pacquiao running for re-election is a good political option instead of throwing his hat in the presidential race.
“As I have said before, it would be best for Sen. Pacquiao to join the senatorial ticket of the PDP-Laban in the 2022 elections. Despite our differences, he remains our member and we would certainly welcome him if he so decides to run for senator under our party,” Cusi said in a statement.
“He would have the full support of the entire political machinery of PDP-Laban, giving him a strong fighting chance of securing a seat in the Senate,” he said.
Cusi also said another term in the Senate would give the lawmaker more experience and insight in governance that would be invaluable for his future political plans.
If Pacquiao also agrees to the proposition, it would also help resolve the conflict within the party and set a good example for members to rise above political differences.
“We need to be united to achieve our common objective to improve the lot of our people and help economy recover from the crushing effects of the coronavirus pandemic,” he pointed out.
The PDP-Laban Cusi wing earlier released the initial list of PDP-Laban’s senatorial line up which include House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta, chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo, Information and Communications Technology chief Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II, Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade, and Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar.
The camp of Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, on the other hand, is eyeing Pacquiao as the PDP-Laban’s official standard bearer in the 2022 elections.