FOLLOWING his meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte at the Malacañang, presidential aspirant Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao said Thursday, November 11, that he will continue to run for president in 2022 elections.
"Walang atrasan. Tuloy ang laban... Hindi nagbabago ang paninindigan ko sa pagtakbo bilang pangulo. Ipakulong ang mga kawatan at iangat ang buhay ng mga mahihirap nating kababayan," he said in a statement sent to reporters.
(No backing out. The fight will continue...My determination to run for president has not changed. Jail the corrupt and improve the lives of our poor countrymen.)
"Hindi ako trapo mag-isip. Ang panalo ko ang magpapanalo sa buhay ng bawat Pilipino," he added.
(I don’t think like traditional politicians. My victory will improve the lives of every Filipino.)
On Tuesday, November 8, 2021, Pacquiao met with Duterte amid ongoing rifts between the two, which stemmed from disagreements within their party, PDP-Laban. The rift was even intensified by the senator’s statement that corruption had worsened under the Duterte administration.
Senator Christopher “Bong’ Go, Duterte’s long-time aide, called the meeting a “renewal of friendship.”
He said political matters were not discussed during the short meeting. (SunStar Philippines)