The camp of Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso announced on Saturday, April 16, 2022, that he will be holding a “joint press conference" with "three other presidential bets" at the Rigodon Ballroom of the Manila Peninsula on Sunday, April 17, 2022.
The invitation did not mention the purpose for the 11 a.m. "joint press conference", stoking speculations that Domagoso and the attending presidential candidates could be announcing a possible unity ticket to mount a serious challenge to survey frontrunner Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
However, a Manila Bulletin source said the joint press conference was only for the purpose of declaring an "integrity pledge" by the four presidential candidates to ensure fair and honest elections on May 9.
The source added Senator Panfilo Lacson and former defense secretary Norberto Gonzalez were reportedly two of the three presidential bets who will be attending the joint press conference.
Another source said the third presidentiable was going to be Senator Manny Pacquiao.
A check with the camp of Vice President Leni Robredo showed that she was not likely to be one of those attending the press conference because she's scheduled to be in her hometown Naga City on Sunday.
The camp of Domagoso had earlier rejected the calls for “unity talks” and maintained that he will not withdraw from the presidential race.