Sen. Manny Pacquiao. INQUIRER file photo
MANILA, Philippines — Opposition coalition 1Sambayan is still open to include Senator Manny Pacquiao and two other senators in its pool of nominees in the 2022 elections, one of its co-conveners revealed on Wednesday.
Lawyer Howard Calleja said the group are open to talk with Paqcuiao, Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III before the group reveals its final list of nominees for president on June 12.
“We are still open, inasmuch as we are open to talk to Senator Ping, Senator Tito Sen if there’s any opportunity,” Calleja said when asked over ABS-CBN News Channel if they would include Pacquiao in their list.
“I am sure that we can see if there is something common that we can talk about or join with Senator Manny. As I said, things may not be perfect, but we may find a commonality among us, if that is possible,” he added.
Pacquiao and Lacson have been floated as possible presidential bets while Sotto has openly expressed his intention to run as running mate of Lacson.
Lacson, however, already turned down the 1Sambayan offer of nomination.
Aside from the names earlier mentioned by the group, Calleja said the group will still add one or two candidates in their list.
“I can name them now because we have already stated that we have talked to them previously,” he said, referring to Vice President Leni Robredo, former Senator Antonio Trillanes III, Senator Grace Poe, and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
“But we have one or two that we will add to that list come June 12,” the convenor added.