Presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao reiterated that he and running mate Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza would not withdraw from the race notwithstanding unification talks allegedly initiated by the camp of Vice President Leni Robredo.
“Ang desisyon kasi namin ni Vice Lito (Atienza) ay tuloy ang laban, at para ito sa bayan. Hindi ito para sa sarili namin. Kasi kung ang iniisip namin para lang sa sarili namin, makikipag-compromise kami. Mahirap naman ‘yon,” he said in a media briefing
“What we are fighting for is real change, because that is truly our intention. We have no vested interest, our interest is pure. We might regret it if we miss this opportunity because this is for the Filipino people,” Pacquiao added in Filipino.
In another forum in Quezon City, Atienza disclosed Robredo’s camp approached him for possible unity talks.
“Yes, I was approached. I could not say I was not approached at all by anyone. Someone approached me…Leni. But it was unacceptable for Manny,” Atienza admitted.
“Not herself personally, but her official representative,” he added.
Atienza quoted Pacquiao as saying; “We lose if that’s our fate, but I don’t want to win just because of negotiations.”
“That was an answer that I had to respect,” Atienza said