Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi Senator Manny Pacquiao. FILE PHOTOS / SENATE PRIB and INQUIRER
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday said he is not yet ready to engage in talks with the Cusi wing of the ruling party PDP-Laban, but added he is not harboring any ill-feelings against the faction.
“I’m not ready for that dahil marami pa tayong consideration ngayon. Yung problema natin sa ating bansa hindi pa natin nareresolba. Itong pandemya at ang problema ng ating mga kababayan na nagugutom at nahihirapan sa buhay,” Pacquiao said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel.
Pacquiao’s group has been at odds with the Cusi faction, which recently endorsed the tandem of Senator Bong Go and President Rodrigo Duterte for the 2022 polls.
READ: Bong Go rejects PDP-Laban endorsement to be presidential candidate
Pacquiao is said to be eyeing the presidency next year. The senator, however, declined to confirm his plans, and said earlier that he will make a decision in September.
Asked if he is closing his doors to any possible talks with the Cusi wing, Pacquiao said: “Ako po bilang Christian, hindi po ako galit kay Cusi, hindi po ako galit sa kanyang grupo.”
“Who am I to put grievances to someone? I am also a sinner who needs forgiveness from the Lord,” he added.
But he stressed that there is a need to resolve the country’s problem with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pacquiao said problems concerning his political career and conflict within his party can be resolved at the right time.
“Madaling pag-usapan ‘yan pagdating ng panahon,” he said.
Comelec’s decision
With two factions within PDP-Laban, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will now have to decide which is the legitimate party representative.
Pacquiao expressed hopes that the poll body will “make the right decision.”
“Kung sinong nararapat at saan nararapat ang partido especially ang bumuo ng partido ay yung Pimentel family,” he added.
Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, son and namesake of PDP-Laban’s founder Aquilino Pimentel Jr., is identified with Pacquiao’s faction.
Pimentel has previously aired support for Pacquiao’s possible presidential bid in 2022.