Pacquiao will let VP bet Atienza rest; to campaign alone for now

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao on Friday said he would be campaigning alone for now as he would let his running mate, vice presidential bet Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza, rest so he could recover from his injury.

This developed despite only a month to go before Election Day, May 9.

Atienza is currently recuperating from knee surgery and has not been able to accompany Pacquiao in his campaign activities.

“Para sa akin, inaalagaan ko kasi ang mga senior citizens, ‘yung mga matatanda. Para sa akin, kung hindi pa niya kaya, ‘wag niya pilitin masyado kasi nakataya ‘yung sarili niya diyan at hayaan niya na lang ako magkampanya. Mas importante ‘yung health,” Pacquiao told reporters in a press briefing in Batangas.

(For me, I am taking care of senior citizens, the elderly. For me, if he is still unable to, he shouldn’t force himself to join campaign sorties since it’s his health that it’s at stake. Just let me campaign for now. His health is more important.)

Pacquiao has so far been campaigning without Atienza and he is usually accompanied by one senatorial candidate, ex-Eastern Samar governor Lutz Barbo.

In his campaign rallies though Pacquiao said he is campaigning and mentioning his other senatorial candidates.

“May mga senador din naman ako na kasama so sinasama ko naman ‘yung mga kasama ko sa kampanya, binabanggit ko palagi, kinakampanya ko, ito’y napakalapit na at naniniwala ako na ang class D, E ay nakasuporta kay Manny Pacquiao dahil sila ang nangangailangan ng tulong,” he said.

(I also have senatorial bets and I always campaign for them. I believe classes D and E are supporting me since they are the ones who need help.)

“At ito na ‘yung pagkakataon na magkaroon sila ng importansya, pagkakataon na umangat sila sa pamumuhay nila at umasenso,” Pacquiao added.

(And this is the opportunity for them to be given importance, an opportunity to uplift their lives and improve.)

RELATED STORY

Atienza ‘very seriously’ considering dropping out of VP race

KGA