Despite reports of PDP-Laban leader Manny Pacquiao running for president, the party has yet to pick their standard bearer for the upcoming 2022 elections, its deputy secretary general said Wednesday.
"Wala pang sinasabi na standard bearer except for the resolution that was unanimously adopted by the leadership ng national council to encourage the President to run for vice president," said Atty. Melvin Matibag said in a virtual interview with reporters.
“But other than that, wala pa,” he added.
According to Matibag, Pacquiao should first undergo their process before he could be considered the party's standard bearer.
"Wala pang certainty ngayon yun kasi kailangan nga pag-usapan muna namin yung mga internal issues namin before he (Pacquiao) can think na he will be standard bearer of PDP-Laban," he said.
The PDP-Laban national council meeting on May 31 adopted a resolution urging President Rodrigo Duterte to run for vice president next year and allowing him to choose his running mate if ever he decides to run for vice president.
Despite the resolution, Duterte said in an interview with his friend, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, on Tuesday night that he was "resisting" the call for him to run for vice president next year. He said he wanted to retire from politics.
Matibag believes that PDP-Laban can still convince the President to heed their call. He said the President had not entirely closed the doors for him to vie for the vice presidency.
"Ang sabi niya, I will resist, gusto ko na magbakasyon. Ibig sabihin pinag-iisipan niya. Just like sa lahat ng bagay na dedesisyunan niya, binabalanse niya. Ibig sabihin there are greater things na kino-consider niya," Matibag said.
"Ang linaw naman nung sinabi niya, I will resist. Hindi naman niya sinabi I will reject," he added.
Matibag hoped that Duterte could give a more indicative decision before PDP-Laban holds its national assembly on July 17, where they will discuss their plans for the 2022 elections.
Pacquiao has not formally announced his intention to run for president next year, although he urged supporters of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to give chance to others who want to vie for the presidency.
ALSO READ:
President Pacquiao? Philippines is Kept Guessing Ahead of Elections
