Aspiring vice president Buhay partylist Rep. Lito Atienza said Monday presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao really had no intention to join his three other fellow bets in the Easter Sunday joint press conference.
"Manny Pacquiao never intended to attend a meeting like that, which is bordering on irresponsibility," Atienza said in One News PH interview.
Atienza said the press conference hosted by presidential aspirants Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, Senator Ping Lacson and former Defense secretary Norberto Gonzales at a luxury hotel in Makati City on Sunday was supposed to talk about forming unity against the leading president bet, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
However, it ended up becoming an anti-Vice President Leni Robredo presser, he added.
"Bakit napunta kay Leni? Bakit napunta roon sa mga participants? Hindi malaman ni Manny (Why did it end up attacking Leni? Why did it end up being focused on the participants? Manny does not know)," the lawmaker said. "I'm also at a loss."
Atienza's comment came while Pacquiao remained silent as of press time about his position regarding the said press conference.
When an advisory about the press conference was sent to media on Saturday afternoon, reporters sought for confirmation from Pacquiao's media bureau if he would attend the said event as he was named as one of the attendees.
But even Pacquiao's camp was not initially aware of it as they were "not advised of any such event."
During the presser, Domagoso, Lacson, and Gonzales signed a manifesto declaring their non-withdrawal from the election race. The manifesto also included Pacquiao's name, but it did not bear his signature as he was not present.
While they asserted that they would not back out from the presidential derby, Domagoso and Gonzales also hit Robredo and asked her to withdraw instead—a sentiment not shared by Lacson.
"Wag nila isama si Manny. Di na nga nagpunta yung tao eh (They should not include Manny anymore. He even didn't go there). I'm very proud of my presidential candidate, he's not part of the funny-looking event," he said.
Atienza also praised Pacquiao for being "a man of discernment, common sense and political wisdom."
"He will not be part of any doubtful maneuvers such as that," he added.