PDP-Laban official bares alleged efforts to hinder talks between Pacquiao, Cusi faction

MANILA, Philippines — There are alleged efforts to hinder talks between Senator Manny Pacquiao and the Cusi-led faction within PDP-Laban, claimed PDP-Laban Secretary General Melvin Matibag.

According to Matibag, who is identified with the faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, they have already extended an invitation to Pacquiao for him to “lead” the party’s senatorial candidates for 2022.

“We are awaiting for a response pero may pinaabot na po sa amin ang aming pinagsabihan [namin] na Senator Manny wants to reflect, magpahinga at magisip so sana nga po mag-isip siya nang hindi napapalibutan nung mga taong pumipigil para makapag-usap po kami,” Matibag told reporters in an online interview.

(We are awaiting for a response but the person who is our bridge to him said that Senator Manny wants to reflect, to rest, and to think. So, hopefully he will really think about this without the people who are surrounding him and who are hindering us from talking.)

“Mayroon po kasing mga tao na pumipigil para makausap namin kaya ngayon naniniwala kami na kaya hindi nakakarating ang tamang mensahe kay Sen. Manny Pacquiao,  yung may mga personal na interes,” he added.

(There are people who are hindering us from talking with each other. That’s why now, we believe that the right message is not being passed on to him because of the personal interest of some people.)

Pacquiao is still in the United States and will return to the Philippines by the end of the month.

Merely delaying presidential dream

Matibag said Pacquiao remains to be among those considered to make up the party’s Senate slate for next year’s polls.

“So I hope Sen. Pacquiao will consider it. He is not actually abandoning his dream of becoming a President but merely delaying it, and, in the process, gain more experience and competence in the intricacies of governance and leadership,” Matibag added.

Pacquiao is said to be eyeing the presidency in 2022 but he has yet to confirm his election plans.

Go-Duterte tandem

Matibag, meanwhile, maintained that Senator Bong Go and President Rodrigo Duterte remain to be the party’s “most qualified” candidates for the presidency and the vice presidency, respectively.

The Cusi-led national executive council of PDP-Laban earlier endorsed through a resolution the tandem Go and Duterte for 2022.

This endorsement will be subject to a vote during the national convention to be led by the Cusi faction on September 8.

“[President Duterte] is the best, most qualified, candidate to run VP in the next elections,” Matibag said.

“[Sen. Go] is the best, most qualified candidate to tandem with [President Duterte] in the next elections,” he added, saying the two “will further strengthen the governance achievements and public service improvements established by the current administration.”

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