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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Pacquiao to run independent if SC, Comelec back Cusi's PDP-Laban group

Pacquiao to run independent if SC, Comelec back Cusi's PDP-Laban group

Published Aug 30, 2021 05:39 pm

Senator Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao is prepared to run as an independent candidate in the 2022 elections if his faction in the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) ends up not being recognized by both the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Supreme Court as the legitimate wing in the party.

Sen. Emmanuel 'Manny' Pacquiao during the Senate's plenary session on June 1, 2021. (Henzberg Austria/Senate PRIB)

"Yes, we are. We are also prepared for this scenario," said Ron Munsayac, executive director of the PDP-Laban Pacquiao wing, when asked on the possibility during a online press briefing Monday, August 30.

"Kung hindi po pumanig 'yong Comelec at 'yong Supreme Court sa amin ay magiging independent po siya. So talagang dito mo makikita 'yong tibay ng prinsipyo ni Sen Manny Pacquiao (If the Comelec and the Supreme does not favor us, he wil become an independent. So you will really see how strong Sen. Manny Pacquiao's principles are)," he told reporters.

According to Munsayac, Pacquiao has also promised that he will not abandon the party even as several other political parties have expressed willingness to support him in the upcoming elections.

He denied that Pacquiao has "back up parties", as claimed by the group of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

"Sinasabi niya po sa amin, sinasabi niya po kay Sen. Pimentel at sa ibang leaders ng partido na 'I will not leave the PDP-Laban, ipaglaban natin ito, kasi sa mga myembro ito, eh' (He would always tell us, Sen. Koko Pimentel and other party leaders, 'I will not leave the PDP-Laban, let's fight for this, because this belongs to the members')," he recalled.

While saying that they are thankful for the support, Munsayac maintained that Pacquiao "will not join other political parties." Pacquiao has been coy about his political plans, but said he will announce in September whether or not to run for president in 2022.

Cusi's group, on the other hand, is pushing the tandem of Senator Christopher "Bong" Go and President Duterte for the 2022 polls.

Munsayac said they are "very confident" that the Comelec and Supreme Court will rule in favor of their PDP-Laban faction, saying they have the documents to prove their legitimacy.

Related Tags

2022 polls 2022 NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS Manny Pacquiao PDP-Laban
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