Pacquiao to meet with Robredo soon
Saying he was willing to discuss an alliance with anyone who shares his goals for the country, Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao revealed Friday he will be meeting with Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo when he returns from the United States next week.At the same time, the boxing icon said in an interview with CNN Philippines in his residence in Los Angeles, California on Friday that he is still not decided on a presidential bid next year.Pacquiao is believed to be eyeing the presidency and was hoping to be proclaimed as the standard bearer of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). But he has been thwarted by a faction in the party that is endorsing Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go as its presidential candidate and President Rodrigo Duterte as his running mate.Pacquiao said he is open to talking to a group outside of the PDP-Laban “on one condition – pareho ang goals namin (we have the same goals).”He revealed what he called his “22-round” agenda, which includes putting corrupt officials behind bars, fixing the economy and providing housing for informal settlers in Metro Manila.Asked if he would settle for a vice presidential post, Pacquiao said it is easy to make announcements, but “I have no vested interests.”He said his only interest is to help the poor.The 42-year-old senator said he has not decided whether to seek the presidency, run for another Senate term or quit politics altogether. But he said any decision about his political future will be based on discussions with members of his family and close friends who could advise him.Pacquiao also denied that the PDP-Laban faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has reached out to him.Pacquiao, who belongs to the Pimentel faction, was recently ousted as party president and replaced with Cusi.He replied, “Wala muna boxing (No more boxing at this time),” when asked by CNN Philippines anchor Pinky Webb Pacquiao if there will be a rematch with Yordenis Ugás, who defeated him in their welterweight title match in Las Vegas a week ago.Also on Friday, several organizations urged Robredo to run for president in the 2022 elections.The Alliance of Labor Leaders for Leni launched “#All 4 Leni” and vowed to support her should she decide to run.”Naniniwala ang #ALL4Leni na lalawak ang demokratikong espasyo kapag nahalal si Leni Robredo bilang pangulo dahil sa kanyang track record, mga pahayag at mga gawain na nagpapakita ng kanyang kahandaan na bitbitin ang Labor Agenda (#ALL4Leni believes the country can achieve full democracy if Leni Robredo will be elected as the next president, due to her track record and performance, she showed that she can push for the Labor Agenda),” the group said.”We need a president who believes that the rule of law cannot be brushed aside on a whim, or for the sake of expediency. We need a president who values human rights and human lives. We need a president who is for the law, for the country and for the people,” it added.Another group, Lawyers for Leni, said Robredo is the kind of leader that the country needs, saying her brand of leadership, track record in public service, and commitment to her morals and principles as a lawyer and citizen will make her a good president.A group of LGBTQIA+ volunteers also launched online #KeriNiLeni, saying Robredo will champion the welfare and rights of their community.The group said a government with the vice president can make Sogie Equality Bill a “reality to raise the dignity and give equal rights to the LGBTQIA+ sector in the country.””Sa nasaksihan nating mga pagkilos niya bilang pangalawang pangulo, #KeriNiLeni na tugunan ang pandemya sa pamamagitan ng mga konkretong solusyon na nakabatay sa agham at pagsasaliksik (We all witnessed her performance as the vice president, Leni can address the pandemic through her concrete solutions that are based on scientific research),” the group pointed out.Last week, over 250 teachers from Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao launched “Teachers for Leni.”The Office of the Vice President spokesman Barry Gutierrez has said Robredo is keeping an open mind on a presidential run.
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