Senator Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday ruled out a vice presidential bid in next year’s national elections.
“Wait for my announcement. I am considering three choices: running for president, running again for Senate, or retiring from politics,” Pacquiao said in an ANC interview.
The boxing legend also said he is ready to resign if someone would say there is no corruption in government, after warning President Rodrigo Duterte it was still rampant in his administration.
In case he will run for elective office in 2022, Pacquiao said he will run for a post where he sees himself effective, in explaining why a vice-presidential bid is not part of his choices.
Attempts to destroy his reputation were also the reason why he considered retiring from politics.
“First of all, I consider retiring from politics because there are people who fabricate stories to destroy my name which I protect with my life,” Pacquiao said.
This was not the first time the boxing senator’s camp has spoken about not seeking the vice presidency.
Before leaving the country for a bout in the United States last month, Pacquiao stressed corruption is three times more under the Duterte administration than the previous one – leading to a cutting of ties with his fellow Mindanaoan and a break in the ruling PDP-Laban.
However, Pacquiao has yet to come out with evidence to support his corruption allegations, vowing to do this as he returned to the country on Monday.
“Let’s send to jail those involved in corruption in government. Let’s investigate and give justice to our poor countrymen who have long been suffering,” said Pacquiao, who has manifested his plan to run for President in 2022.
The eradication of corruption is among the 22-point agenda Pacquiao crafted while training for his fight with Cuban Yordenis Ugas, who beat the eight-division world champion via unanimous decision.
The senator also said he is not yet ready to talk with the other PDP-Laban faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, who offered him a slot in their side’s senatorial slate.
According to Pacquiao, before dialogues with the other faction, he needs first to focus on the current health crisis, poverty, and unemployment woes amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As a Christian, I am not angry at Cusi. I am not holding a grudge against his group. Who am I to put grievances to someone? I am also a sinner who needs forgiveness from the Lord,” said Pacquiao.
“What I am talking about here is, we should give importance in resolving and providing solutions to our problems,” he added.
Pacquiao said his political career and the problems within the party can be discussed in the future “or after we resolve the pandemic.”
He also believes the Comelec and even the Supreme Court will declare his group as the legitimate PDP-Laban party, as Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III is on their side.
“I believe that the Comelec will make the right decision on the declaration of the legitimate PDP-Laban party, considering the fact that the party was established by the Pimentel family,” he said.
Pimentel’s father, the late Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, is a co-founder of PDP-Laban.
Pacquiao said if they will not be declared as the legitimate PDP-Laban, he will not leave those who supported and sided with him during the infighting in the ruling party.
He recently met with Vice President Leni Robredo and discussed their plans for next year and solutions for the pandemic.