Duterte nixes Pacquiao’s offer to join forces ‘for the sake of Mindanao’

A combination photo of Senator Manny Pacquiao (left) and President Rodrigo Duterte (right). INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has revealed that he rejected an offer from presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao to join forces in the 2022 elections for the sake of Mindanao.

During an interview with Banat By which aired on Youtube on Sunday, Duterte shared that he and Pacquiao had a talk where the senator offered the possible team-up.

“Nung nagkita kami, sabi ko, sige, kausapin ko para deretsahan. Sabi niya na magsama tayo for the sake of Mindanao. Sabi ko, I’m sorry I cannot support you,” he said.

(When we saw each other, I said, okay, I’ll talk to him. He said, let us work together for the sake of Mindanao. I said I’m sorry I cannot support you.)

Duterte said that he will only support his long-time aide Senator Bong Go who is seeking the presidency after substituting for Grepor Belgica under the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS) party.

The Chief Executive added that he will likewise not be supporting presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., whose party adopted his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio for the upcoming polls.

“Hindi talaga ako magsuporta sa kanya [Pacquiao]. Hindi rin ako magsuporta kay Marcos. Basta ako kay Bong,” he said.

(I will not support him. I will also not support Marcos. I will just support Bong.)

When asked why he chose Go to be the one to continue his programs, he noted the senator’s honesty.

“Wala itong ginawang hambog na kwento na kaya niya. Pero alam ko, sa taon na nag-serbisyo siya sa akin, alam ko, isang ano is talagang honest,” he said.

(He did not do anything arrogant or boasted that he could this or that. But, in his years of service with me, I know that he is honest.)

Duterte on Saturday announced that he will run as vice president but has yet to file his certificate of candidacy.

/MUF