Lacson won’t prevent Sotto from joining Pacquiao rallies

Senator Panfilo Lacson (left) and Senate President Vicente Sotto III (right). Photo from Lacson-Sotto media bureau

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential bet Senator Panfilo Lacson has no problems with his running mate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, joining the campaign rallies of Senator Manny Pacquiao, another presidential hopeful.

“I will not prevent SP Sotto from attending any of Manny Pacquiao’s rallies as long as he (Sotto) endorses only me,” Lacson told reporters in a press conference in Zamboanga del Norte on Thursday.

Earlier, Pacquiao’s own running mate, House Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza, said he is “very seriously” considering dropping out of the vice presidential race.

Atienza then expressed hopes that Lacson would withdraw his bid for the presidency to let Pacquiao and Sotto team-up.

Lacson rejected this but said any endorsement for Sotto would be welcome.

“Anything that will boost his (Sotto) candidacy, I’m all for it. Kung meron maga-adopt sa kanya as their vice presidential candidate, so be it, I will welcome it because I know where he stands, I know where I stand,” he added.

Pacquiao had also earlier said that he is not ruling out the possibility of adopting Sotto as his vice president should Atienza back out.

“Sabi naman ng aking ka-tandem (Atienza) na kung may mapili man siya na kung sakaling hindi niya kaya ay gusto niya si Sotto na pwedeng dalhin as VP,” Pacquiao had said.

(My running mate told me that if he would choose someone to replace him, should he no longer wish to continue, it would be Sotto.)

READ: Pacquiao: Team up with Sotto possible if Atienza quits VP race

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