Pacquiao stays with Binay despite Duterte bid
MANILA, Philippines — Champion fighter and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao chose not to leave presidential aspirant Jejomar Binay's side even after Davao City Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte joined the presidential race.
Despite an earlier statement that he preferred to be in the senatorial slate of Duterte, Pacquiao said Friday that he would stick to his word expressing support for the Binay-led United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).
"Iyan ang ini-establish ko sa pulitika na may isang salita tayo. Ang sinuportahan natin UNA, ang mahal natin na bise presidente at all-out support tayo sa kanya at hindi magbabago 'yan," Pacquiao said in a press conference in General Santos City.
Pacquiao said he believes in reforms to address poverty pushed by Binay as they both have experienced being poor.
"Nararamdaman namin ang kalagayan ng mga mahihirap na tao," Pacquiao said.
In early October, Pacquiao said it would be more reasonable for him to run with a presidential candidate from Mindanao, such as Duterte.
''If Duterte runs—he is from Mindanao—it's kind of an embarrassment sa kanya na hindi ako mag-suporta sa kanya kung sakaling tumakbo siya,'' he said in a radio interview.
Pacquiao filed his certificate of candidacy for senator on October 16 under the UNA slate as Duterte remained mum on his 2016 plans. — Camille Diola
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