Pacquiao shows loyalty; stays with PDP-Laban

Sen. Manny Pacquaio. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA

Senator Manny Pacquiao said he would stay with the ruling PDP-Laban lest he be accused of being a political butterfly.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III earlier admitted inviting  Pacquiao to join  the Nationalist People’s Coalition founded by businessman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco.

“Wala naman akong problema, pero taga PDP-laban  ako (I have no problem with that but I’m with PDP-Laban),” Pacquiao  said when asked  about Sotto’s offer during an interview with  DWIZ on Saturday

“Kalilipat ko lang sa PDP-Laban. Ayaw ko namang isipin ng mga tao na para akong  ibang mga pulitika dyan na talon ng talon. Pangit,” he said.

(I just transferred to PDP-Laban. I don’t  want people to think that I’m  like other  politicians who always jump ship. That’s not good)

Pacquiao was with the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) when he ran in the 2016 May elections. He eventually joined PDP-laban after the elections.

Asked if he would stay with PDP-Laban, the neophyte  senator answered yes.

“PDP-Laban pa rin ako (I’m still with PDP-Laban),” Pacquiao added.

Talks of some PDP members  defecting to other  groups  swirled following the ouster  of  its secretary general, Panaleon Alvarez, as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Alvarez was replaced by partymate, former President and now Pampanga Rep.  Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. /jpv

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