Pacquiao on Leni Withdraw Call: That Was Not the Plan for the Presscon

Presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday credited divine intervention for his failure to attend a joint press conference of fellow presidential candidates, wherein their rival, Leni Robredo was asked to withdraw from the race.

The boxing champion turned senator was mid-flight when the press conference at the Manila Peninsula was ongoing and while Manila Mayor Isko Moreno dared the lone female bet to 'be a hero' and back out to give way to alternative candidates like himself. 

"Wala sa usapan 'yung manira tayo ng tao at magsasabing mag-withdraw ka... unexpected 'yung sinabi doon," he told reporters in Ilocos Norte.

ALSO READ: Will Leni Robredo's Withdrawal Translate to Votes for Isko Moreno?

Asked if it was a good decision to skip the press conference, Pacquiao said: "'Pag guided ka ng Panginoon, ang Panginoon gagawa ng paraan para protektahan ka."

Presidential candidates Panfilo Lacson and Norberto Gonzales, who were with Moreno during the press conference, said they did not support the call. Moreno's running mate Willie Ong also said he wouldn't ask Robredo to withdraw from the race.

"Ang press con na 'yun sa pagkakaisa na magkaroon ng malinis na halalan, honest na halalan at magkaroon ng pagtutulungan sa isang adhikain na paano natin matulungan ang ating mga kababayan, paunlarin ang bansa natin, solusyonan ang problema," said Pacquiao.

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