MANILA, Philippines – The Liberal Party (LP) respects Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao’s transfer to Vice-President Jejomar Binay-led Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), its spokesperson Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tanada III said on Wednesday.
He explained that it was up to Pacquiao to choose which party he wanted to represent and that his joining PDP-Laban was not bothersome for their group as they were confident in the capabilities of LP members in the forthcoming elections.
He, however, declined to name their party’s candidates, saying that they were still finalizing their list.
Many have labeled Pacquiao a “political butterfly” for moving from one party to another since he entered politics. He took his oath as a member of PDP-Laban earlier this week with plans to run for governor in Sarangani by 2013.
The PDP-Laban has formed the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA ) and forged a coalition with former President Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) . Estrada was Binay’s running mate in the 2010 elections.