Pacquiao-Isko, Isko-Pacquiao in the works for 2022?
‘PASKO na sinta ko!’
This popular Christmas tune can be a 2022 campaign theme song if Senator Manny Pacquiao and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso agree to team up for the 2022 national elections.
Seen as a formidable election partnership no matter who between the two popular political leaders will run for president, Pacquiao and Moreno are being asked by supporters to meet and discuss the possibility of running in tandem.
“We want Yorme (referring to Moreno) and Senator Pacquiao to meet and try to explore the possibility of teaming up for the presidential polls. We proposed the meeting to take place as soon as the senator has returned to the country from his August 21 bout,” revealed a source who is close to the two leaders.
“Pasko could mean Pacquiao-Isko or Isko-Pacquiao. Whoever gives way to the other in seeking the top post would mean six years of Christmas blessings to all Filipinos if both are elected,” he added.
The source refused to reveal which party initiated the proposed dialogue between Pacquiao and Moreno but stressed that “initial discussions are very positive.”
Vice President Leni Robredo, who is being groomed as Liberal Party’s presidential bet, has started “exploratory talks” with Pacquiao.
Moreno or Robredo are both from Luzon and would need a running mate from either Visayas or Mindanao to maintain a regional balance that would boost any of the trio’s bid for the presidency.
“The problem will lie in the fact that Senator Pacquiao also wants to run for president. But we all know that he and Mayor Isko have a common noble objective for the nation, so one has to sacrifice his dream for the sake of achieving this goal,” the source said.
Pacquiao maintains his claim as president of PDP-Laban despite being ousted by the pro-Duterte Cusi faction while he was abroad preparing for his August 21 fight in Las Vegas.
On the other hand, Moreno resigned as member and vice chairman for political affairs of the National Unity Party, which has declared support for the possible candidacy of President Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Moreno was recently elected president of the Aksyon Demokratiko, a political party that became popular for pursuing a culture of good governance initiated by its founder, the late Senator Raul Roco.
Among Moreno, Pacquiao and Robredo, it is the former who has figured consistently in poll surveys as among the strongest bet for either presidential or vice presidential position.
‘Goodluck’
Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) chairman and Senate President Vicente Sotto III wished Moreno good luck as the latter takes on a new role as Aksyon Demokratiko’s president.
“To each his own. Good luck,” Sotto said when asked for reaction on the mayor’s election.
Last July 14, Sotto and Senator Panfilo Lacson met with officers of the Aksyon Demokratiko for a possible alliance in next year’s polls.
Sotto is seeking the vice presidency next year, with newly-elected Partido Reporma chairman Lacson as his running mate for president.
The meeting has not been followed up with formal talks yet, Sotto earlier said.
The NPC has yet to decide on any alliances, although the Senate chief previously said that his party is not keen on coalescing with political parties who would field opponents of their member- candidates.
Pre-election surveys have listed Moreno as among the possible contenders for the presidential and vice presidential race. Although the mayor previously confirmed that he will run in the 2022 polls, he did not specify which post. (with a report from Vanne Elaine P. Terrazola)