Cusi-led PDP-Laban reaches out to Pacquaio to lead its 2022 senatorial slate

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and Senator Manny Pacquiao. FILE PHOTOS / INQUIRER / SENATE PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has reached out to Senator Manny Pacquiao with the offer for him to lead the party’s senatorial slate for 2022, an official of the political group has revealed.

PDP-Laban Secretary General Melvin Matibag said Cusi has reached out to Pacquiao on Tuesday, the same day the political group released its initial list for its senatorial bets.

“Today po si Secretary Cusi reached out to Senator Pacquiao. in fact, there are private individuals na nire-reach out. Because we are offering Senator Pacquiao to lead the senatorial lineup of PDP-Laban and rise above politics,” Matibag said in an interview over One News “The Chiefs” on Tuesday.

The initial list of PDP-Laban’s senatorial lineup include:

-House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta

-Chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo

-Information and Communications Technology Secretary Gringo Honasan

-Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade

-Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar

Matibag said these names have already been vetted through different processes and have been picked out from the more than 20 individuals the party is considering.

The party earlier said it is eyeing to include up to seven Cabinet secretaries in its senatorial slate for the 2022 elections.

It said it might field eight or nine candidates from the party and the rest will be from parties allied with the administration. PDP-Laban aims to release the final lineup on Sept. 8.

However, the other faction in the PDP-Laban, led by Sen. Koko Pimentel is eyeing to nominate Pacquiao as its standard-bearer in the 2022 elections, Pimentel himself said.

/MUF