FILE PHOTO: Buhay Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza,. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — Vice presidential candidate Lito Atienza was a no-show during the proclamation event with his tandem, presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao, in General Santos City on Tuesday.
This was because the incumbent Buhay Partylist representative sprained his foot, his camp later explained.
Atienza only delivered his message via Zoom during the proclamation rally, disclosing that he figured in an accident.
In a press briefing, Pacquiao said he told Atienza to no longer attend the rally and to just recover.
“Si Vice President [Atienza] medyo nagkaproblema siya sa paa dahil na-out of balance siya. Kaya sabi ko ‘diyan ka na lang muna. Huwag mo na lang pilitin dahil mahaba pa ang lalakbayin natin,” Pacquiao said.
(Atienza had a problem with his foot because he went out of balance. So I told him ‘just stay there. Don’t force yourself because we still have a long journey.)
“Okay lang naman dahil siyempre hindi natin pwede pilitin ‘yun dahil may edad na rin ‘yung ating Vice President,” he added.
(It’s okay because we cannot force him to go since he is also old already.)
READ: Pacquiao-Atienza tandem kicks off campaign in General Santos City
In his message, Atienza said he was supposed to retire from politics but he changed his mind when Pacquiao asked him to be his running mate.
“After 50 years of politics, I was ready to retire. What made me change my mind? When Manny Pacquiao called me ‘Mayor Congressman, kailangan kita. Be my VP,’” he recounted.
“I am now given an opportunity to be of help to Pacquiao,” he added.
The lawmaker also took a swipe at the Marcos family, reminding the public that dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. is a thief and his son is running for the presidency.
He then urged supporters of presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to support a different “BBM” which is “Buong Bansa Manny.”
“Ang dasal ko ay bigyan tayo ng ng leader na makakapagpabago ng direksyon ng buhay; isang leader na tunay na mangangalaga sa Pilipino,” Atienza said.
(I pray that we are given a leader that could change the direction of our lives; a leader that will truly take care of the Filipino people.)
READ: Pacquiao supporters ditch health protocols in presidential bet’s campaign in Gensan
During Pacquiao’s proclamation rally, only two senatorial candidates in his lineup were present — former Senate secretary and ex-Eastern Samar governor Lutz Barbo and broadcast personality Raffy Tulfo.
Meanwhile, members of Pacquiao’s family attended the event including his wife Jinkee, his mother Dionisia, his father Rosalio, his brother OFW party-list Rep. Bobby Pacquiao, and his brother Sarangani Rep. Ruel Pacquiao.
Earlier, Ruel was reported to have pledged his support for the candidacy of Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is running for vice president.
Senator Pacquiao earlier said he will talk to his brother because it is “shameful” that his own brother would support a candidate that is not his running mate.
