Pacquiao meets Davao del Norte political stalwarts; hordes swarm motorcade
Presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao meets political stalwarts in Davao del Norte after a successful sortie in Davao Oriental to discuss areas of cooperation on how to sustain the development of Mindanao. Contributed photo
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao has met with political stalwarts in Davao del Norte after a successful sortie in Davao Oriental to discuss areas of cooperation on how to sustain the development of Mindanao.
On Tuesday night, Pacquiao paid courtesy call to former Speaker and Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez and Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib at the Governor’s residence in Tagum City.
Over dinner, Pacquiao said that Alvarez raised the need for Visayans to unite to ensure uninterrupted progress in Mindanao and the Visayas.
“Ang pinag-usapan namin na importante yung magkaisa na sana ang Mindanao, magkaisa na sanap ang mga Bisaya,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao also hinted of a broader political alliance of his MP3 alliance which involves PROMDI, the PDP-Laban, People’s Champ and Alvarez’s Partido Reporma which has Sens. Ping Lacson and Senate President Tito Sotto as standard bearers.
“Titignan natin pagdating ng panahon. Napag-usapan naman namin yun (alliance with Partido Reporma). Pagdating ng panahon. Napag-uusapan namin yan. Napag-uusapan namin yun. Pagdating ng panahon ay mag-uusap yung promdi, PDP- Laban at yung partido niya (Reporma), ” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao clarified however that aside from discussing areas of cooperation for the development of Mindanao, his meeting with local political leaders is also his way of showing courtesy to incumbent officials regardless of their political affiliation.
“Gusto nating magbigay respeto sa kanila kasi mga elected officials. Kumbaga sa bahay di tayo pwedeng pumasok sa bahay na di kumakatok. Kailangan kumatok. Respeto lang,” he said.
Pacquiao also reiterated that former members of the PDP-Laban who have joined the rogue faction of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and Transco President Melvin Matibag are welcome to rejoin their party. He also pointed that he does not hold any ill feelings against Cusi and Matibag but he is only against the things that they do.
” Willing naman ako na tanggapin sila kasi sa atin, addition naman ang isinusulong natin, pagkakaisa. Lahat na PDP na na-displace ay willing naman akong tanggapin sila ulit para sa pagkakaisa. Kaya nga nakikipag communicate tayo sa kanila, tinatawagan natin sila araw-araw, ” Pacquiao said.
“Hindi ako galit dyan sa mga taong yan. Galit lang ako yung masamang gawain. Yung ginagawa nila na panlalamang sa ating gobyerno,” Pacquiao added.
The next day, Pacquiao also paid a courtesy call to Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon, Vice-Mayor Eva Lorraine Estabillo, and some members of the city council at the palatial Tagum City Hall where he was greeted by thousands of cheering residents.
Pacquiao even had a hard time leaving his hotel as hordes of supporters and well-wishers jostled and shoved each other just to have a selfie with Mindanao’s lone presidential bet.
But it was a crippled man who was at the hotel door that caught the attention of Pacquiao who immediately handed to him some cash and “pabahay card.” The senator also ordered his staff to get his details so that he can be given free housing.
After he met with city hall officials, Pacquiao paid a quick visit to Davao de Oro before going back to Tagum for a quick tour at the Tagum City Public Market before doing a motorcade around the city.
Responding to queries on the decision of Sen. Bong Go who has filed his candidacy for president and President Duterte, for the Senate respectively, to withdraw from the 2022 elections, Pacquiao said that he respects their decision and would not make any speculation about their decision.
“ Hindi natin alam ang dahilan niya pero irerespeto natin ang desisyon ng pangulo. Lahat may karapatan eh. May karapatan na magpatuloy o umatras. Kung ano man ang dahilan ay personal na siguro nila yun. Di tayo pwedeng manghimasok dun dahil sarili nilang desisyon yun,” Pacquiao said.
