Amid PDP-Laban rift, other parties may consider recruiting Pacquiao — political analyst

Other parties may consider recruiting Senator Manny Pacquiao to help his plans in Eleksyon 2022 amid the ongoing rift between factions in ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), a political analyst said Sunday.

This as the conflict within the ruling party continued after Pacquiao was ousted as party president on Saturday and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi was installed as the senator's replacement.

"Maaaring may mga faction na kunyari si Senator Manny, puwedeng ligawan o manligaw sa ibang mga partido kung saan susulong ang plano niya maging Presidente o Bise Presidente," Professor Dennis Blanco of the University of the Philippines-Diliman's political science department said over Dobol B TV.

(Sen. Manny could be reached out by other parties who can help him with his plan to become President or Vice President.)

"Makikita natin puwedeng magkaroon ng coalition sa ibang mga partido at gusto ng 1Sambayan plano nila na isama si Sen. Pacquiao na maging presidential bearer ng opposition," he added.

(There could be coalition with other parties. Even 1Sambayan may have plans to include Senator Pacquiao among those being considered as presidential bearer of the opposition.)

Previously, the opposition coalition said Pacquiao must first go through a process if someone will nominate him as a potential candidate in their alliance.

“If someone will nominate him (Pacquiao), we will ask him if he’s willing to undergo the process. If he’s willing, there will be interviews and criteria [that will be used to assess him],” 1Sambayan convener Fr. Albert Alejo said. “Let’s see.”

Similar to Senator Franklin Drilon's sentiments, the political scientist said the rift between Cusi's faction and Pacquiao-led wing in PDP-Laban party could benefit the opposition.

"Kung hindi sila magyu-unify kung hindi pipili ng kandidato under unified PDP-Laban party, malaking pabor sa opposition," said Blanco.

(If they can't have a unified candidate, this would favor the opposition.)

Likewise, Blanco said this continued rift in the ruling party could also divide their votes from the local government units.

"Ang boto ng PDP-Laban leaders puwedeng mahati sa LGUs. Malaking dagok sa kandidatura kung sino mapipisilang Pangulo," he said.

(PDP-Laban leaders' votes can be divided in LGUs. This will have an effect on their candidacy and on who will be chosen as President.)

On Saturday, the Cusi-led faction held its PDP-Laban assembly wherein they elected new officials of the party.

President Rodrigo Duterte, party chairman, also attended the meeting despite the Pacquiao-led group's call not to participate, calling the assembly as illegal. —KG, GMA News