The Liberal Party (LP) is leaving a slot vacant on its 12-member senatorial ticket in the hope boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao would join the administration coalition.
A source in the LP, who spoke on condition of anonymity for lack of authority to speak for the party, said Pacquiao had made up his mind about running for senator in 2016 and was only considering which party to run with.
Pacquiao has been seen in the sorties of Vice President Jejomar Binay, including during the formal launch of Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) party.
But with Binay’s presidential run losing momentum due to the corruption charges leveled against him, the source said that Pacquiao has been having second thoughts about running under UNA, especially since he would likely be the only marquee name in the lineup.
Pacquiao, the richest but most chronic absentee of Congress, is also reportedly considering a run for Sarangani governor as an option.