MANILA, Philippines — Four presidential candidates on Easter Sunday declared that they will push through with their respective candidacies.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, in a joint press conference announced that he, Senators Manny Pacquiao and Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, and former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales will finish the presidential race.
“Hinding-hindi kami magbibitaw sa kampanya. Ang bawat isa sa amin ay magpapatuloy sa aming mga sariling kandidatura upang maging mga karapat-dapat na pagpilian ng ating sambayanang Pilipino,” Moreno read the candidates’ joint statement.
(There will be no withdrawals. Each of us will continue with our respective presidential campaigns and strive to be worthy of choices from which our people will select.)
According to the three presidential bets, allies of Vice President Leni Robredo asked them to withdraw from the race.
“This all came about when Secretary Gonzales visited me, ano, sa (at) Manila Hotel… Sinabi niya sa akin na nagkausap sila ni former spokesman [Ernesto] Abella at saka ni Senator Manny Pacquiao, at shinare nilang tatlo ang kanilang common experience na merong kumakausap sa kanila—pinag-wi-withdraw, bibigyan ng pera, at pinagkakampanya pa at meron pang budget,” Lacson shared.
(He told me that he spoke with former spokesman Abella and Senator Manny Pacquiao, and the three of them shared their common experience that someone talked to them, asking them to withdraw. They will be given money and should campaign, and there is a budget.)
“Sabi ko, ‘teka muna, kasi ‘yan din ang napapag-usapan namin ni Mayor Isko,’” he added.
(I said, “that is what Mayor Isko and I have been talking about.”)
Lacson reminded the public that there are other choices aside from survey frontrunner former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Robredo who is the second preferred president among survey respondents.
“That’s the reason why we are here… there are other options… It’s not all about against Leni. It’s not all about against Marcos or for Marcos or for Leni. This is offering other options,” the senator stressed.
Moreno, Pacquiao, and Lacson, respectively, followed Robredo in the latest Pulse Asia voter preference survey.
Aside from announcing that they will be pushing through with their respective campaigns, Moreno, Lacson, Pacquiao, and Gonzales also pledged to combine their strengths to counter any attempt to subvert the people’s will by preemptive maneuvers or otherwise limit their choices.
They also gave their commitment to serve in the government of whoever among them will be chosen by the public as the next president.
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