Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao (Albert Calvelo/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — A PDP-Laban resolution calling for the vice presidential bid of President Rodrigo Duterte in the 2022 elections is “not authorized,” said Senator Manny Pacquiao, the ruling party’s acting president.
“Hindi ko alam yun [resolution[. Hindi [ko] yun sanctioned bilang acting president ng partido. Hindi po yun authorized dahil ang focus po talaga ng partido ngayon e paano ba tayo makatulong ng mga tao na nagugutom ngayon,” Pacquiao said in a press briefing Friday.
(I have no knowledge of that.I did not sanction that as acting party president.That is not authorized because the party’s focus is to help the people and address hunger amid trying times.)
Asked if the party has already discussed plans for the upcoming elections, Pacquiao said there are no discussions yet.
“Totally wala pa (none) kasi grabe ang problema sa ating bansa (the country is facing serious problems),” he added.
President Rodrigo Duterte (Screengrab from RTVM)
Earlier, House Deputy Speaker Eric Martinez said a resolution urging Duterte to run for vice president is being passed among members of the party.
According to Martinez, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, the vice-chairman of the ruling political party, “is going around the country consulting with the PDP members” regarding the resolution.