Pimentel says he got messages to ‘drop’ support for Pacquiao

Senators Manny Pacquiao and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Wednesday said he received text messages asking him to “drop” his support for Senator Manny Pacquiao, who is among the prospective presidential bets for 2022.

Pimentel has been open in saying that Pacquiao could be considered as the PDP-Laban’s standard-bearer in the coming elections, saying the boxing champ-turned-politician is a “good choice” for the position.

“Hindi ko masabing [Energy] Secretary [Alfonso] Cusi and his camp yun pero may mga text tayo na natatanggap na ganoon which I immediately dismissed,” Pimentel said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum when asked to confirm if Cusi’s faction is reaching out to him to “drop” Pacquiao.

(I can’t say it came from Secretary Cusi and his camp but I’ve been receiving messages like that which I immediately dismissed.)

“Wala naman akong personal interest dito,” Pimentel, the executive vice-chairman of the party, added but did not expound.

(I don’t really have any personal interest here.)

“Matatapos ang term ko as a senator 2025 [I will end my term as a senator in 2025]. It’s time for me now to go back to teaching in law school,” he also said.

Pimentel earlier said Pacquiao is “being groomed” for a national post in 2022 when the latter was designated as PDP-Laban acting president in December last year.

But Pacquiao’s designation as acting president “alarmed” Cusi’s faction, according to Pimentel.

Pimentel suspects this was because Cusi’s group is pushing for a presidential candidate outside the party. Cusi has denied this.

The conflict within the party grew after Cusi and two other officials were recently expelled from PDP-Laban over the weekend for alleged violation of provisions in the party’s constitution.

Cusi had previously called for a national assembly last May 31 despite Pacquiao’s opposition.

/MUF