Tug of war for Pacquiao heats up

Apro-administration party-list lawmaker yesterday said boxing icon and Saranggani Rep. Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao is keeping his options open regarding an open invitation to join the Liberal Party (LP) Senatorial slate in the 2016 elections.

Pacquiao also disclosed that he has not yet been approached by political parties although he confirmed that Vice President Jejomar Binay is a “very good friend.”

“Hindi pa naman ako nag-aanounce kung tatakbo ng mas mataas na posisyon next year,” (I have not yet made an announcement if i would run for a higher position next year.) Pacquiao told reporters after Monday’s State of the Nation Address.

YACAP Party - list Rep. Carol Lopez said she is hopeful that Pacquiao would eventually decide to join the "Daang Matuwid" banner next year.

"Naguusap kami, nagiisip ang mama kung ano ang tatahakin nya sa buhay. He is keeping his options open. Maaari na magjoin sya. We are hoping na tamang decision ang kanyang gagawin (We are talking, he is thinking which path he would take. He is keeping his options open. Maybe he would join us. We are hoping he would come up with a right decision)," Lopez told reporters.

She said it is her initiative to woo Pacquaio to join the administration banner as she expressed belief that Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel ‘Mar’ Roxas II is the best presidential candidate.

"There is no directive from Secretary Mar. It is my own initiative to court Pacquiao to join Secretary Mar. We are welcoming him to join us in LP," she said.

Pacquiao was reportedly invited to attend tomorrow’s Liberal Party event for the announcement of Roxas’ presidential candidacy.

For UNA It will be recalled, however, that the Saranggani lawmaker’s presence in the launching of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) as a political party indicated his preference for the coming year’s polls.

UNA will field Binay as its standard bearer.

Buhay Party - list Rep. Lito Atienza chided Lopez’s ‘premature’ announcement of LP’s bid to get Pacquiao into the administration coalition’s side.

Atienza is confident Pacquiao will never abandon Binay’s bid for the presidency, adding that among his many ideal traits, the Saranggani lawmaker is best known for his sincerity and integrity.

Earlier, Paquiao disclosed that he will be joining Binay in his quest to become president and will be with the vice president if he decides to run for senator.