Other parties consider recruiting Pacquiao amid rift in PDP-Laban
Published on: Monday, July 19, 2021
By: GMA News
MANILA: Other parties may consider recruiting Senator Manny Pacquiao (pic) to help his plans in Eleksyon 2022 amid the ongoing rift between factions in ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), a political analyst said Sunday.This as the conflict within the ruling party continued after Pacquiao was ousted as party president on Saturday and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi was installed as the senator’s replacement.
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“Sen. Manny could be reached out by other parties who can help him with his plan to become President or Vice President,” Professor Dennis Blanco of the University of the Philippines-Diliman’s political science department.
“There could be coalition with other parties. Even 1Sambayan may have plans to include Senator Pacquiao among those being considered as presidential bearer of the opposition,” he added.
Previously, the opposition coalition said Pacquiao must first go through a process if someone will nominate him as a potential candidate in their alliance.
“If someone will nominate him (Pacquiao), we will ask him if he’s willing to undergo the process. If he’s willing, there will be interviews and criteria [that will be used to assess him],” 1Sambayan convener Fr. Albert Alejo said. “Let’s see.”
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Similar to Senator Franklin Drilon’s sentiments, the political scientist said the rift between Cusi’s faction and Pacquiao-led wing in PDP-Laban party could benefit the opposition.
“If they can’t have a unified candidate, this would favor the opposition,” Blanco said.
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Likewise, Blanco said this continued rift in the ruling party could also divide their votes from the local government units.
“PDP-Laban leaders’ votes can be divided in LGUs. This will have an effect on their candidacy and on who will be chosen as President,” he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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