Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas with Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao. FILE PHOTO
“It is possible” for boxing champion and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao to join the Liberal Party’s (LP) senate slate.
LP standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II confirmed on Friday in an ambush interview that talks with Pacquiao, who has declared he is running for senate, are ongoing.
“As recent as two nights ago,” Roxas said when asked if he had spoken with Pacquiao.
Roxas and his running-mate Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo attended the oath-taking of new LP members including Justice Secretary Leila de Lima who will join the senatorial race as well.
Talks were rife that the LP is wooing Pacquiao, with LP political affair’s chair and Caloocan Representative Edgar Erice meeting with him twice.
Pacquiao declared his Senate run in General Santos City last Monday, the same day the LP announced its vice presidential candidate after weeks of speculation.
READ: Pacquiao to seek Senate seat but no party yet | If elected senator, Pacquiao vows to give up one of other careers
Pacquiao made the announcement during the convention of more than a thousand party members of People’s Champ Movement, a local political party he founded in 2010.
But Pacquiao did not reveal yet which national party he would join.
Reports as early as 2014 said that Pacquiao was going to be one of the senate bets of Vice Presidential Jejomar Binay, one of Roxas’ rivals in the presidential race. He was also present during the launch of Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance in Makati in July.
Binay was also quoted saying that Pacquiao assured him that he would not leave his side.
READ: Binays, Pacquiao lead UNA launch; Erap Estrada a no-show | Pacquiao promises Binay: ‘I won’t leave you, Vice’
On Monday next week, the LP would formally announce the administration coalition’s final senate lineup. IDL
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