Palace not counting Pacquiao out yet among Duterte’s choices for president

MANILA, Philippines — While their relationship is no longer as “cordial” as before, Malacañang did not rule out President Rodrigo Duterte’s support for Senator Manny Pacquiao in his possible presidential bid in the 2022 national elections.

“I think it’s rather obvious that the relationship between the President and Senator Pacquiao is not as cordial as it was,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an online briefing.

“Natapon na po ang sabaw kumbaga,” he added.

(The soup has spilled, perhaps.)

Duterte, in his taped speech aired Monday, threatened to campaign against Pacquiao if he could not prove his claim of rampant corruption in the government.

Following Duterte’s tirades, questions loomed as to whether Pacquiao is already out of Duterte’s choices to endorse as president, but the Palace mouthpiece said nothing yet is cast in stone.

“Hindi naman po definitely. In the realm of politics, although I’m not a veteran person in politics, anything is possible but for now, mainit po,” Roque said.

(Not definitely. In the realm of politics, although I’m not a veteran person in politics, anything is possible. But for now, the situation is hot.)

Roque previously named Pacquiao as among Duterte’s possible presidential bets alongside Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, former senator Bongbong Marcos and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.

It was not the first time for Duterte to chide Pacquiao. The President previously told the senator to “study first” after the latter criticized his stance on the West Philippine Sea issue.

EDV