Presidential aspirant Senator Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao will be endorsing senatorial candidates from other political parties for the 2022 elections.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel on Friday, Oct. 15, Pacquiao enumerated the names in their senatorial line-up for next year's polls. The initial list includes guest candidates:
Sen. Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri (Independent);
Sen. Joel Villanueva (Independent);
Former senator and incumbent Sorsogon Governor Francis "Chiz" Escudero (Nationalist People's Coalition);
Former senator and incumbent Antique Representative Loren Legarda (Nationalist People's Coalition);
Former vice president Jejomar "Jojo" Binay (United Nationalist Alliance); and
Broadcaster Raffy Tulfo (Independent).
In a separate press briefing later, Pacquiao also mentioned reelectionist Senator Richard "Dick" Gordon (Bagumbayan Movement), as well as labor leader Elmer Labog (Makabayan Coalition), and human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares (Makabayan Coalition).
Their Senate slate also includes ex-Senate secretary Lutgardo Barbo, who is the lone candidate of their faction in the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
"Naniniwala po tayo sa kanyang kakayahan, sa kanyang experience pagdating sa pagseserbisyo sa taong bayan. At naniniwala siya sa programa natin na tunay na pagbabago at sugpuin 'yong korapsyon (We believe in Barbo's in capability and experience in public service. And he believes in our programs for genuine change and against corruption)," Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao is gunning for presidency alongside former Manila mayor and BUHAY Party List Rep. Lito Atienza as his vice president.
He said they are "open" for other senatorial aspirants who want to join their election slate.