Pacquiao welcomes ‘unity talks’ initiated by 1Sambayan for Eleksyon 2022

Senator Manny Pacquiao on Friday welcomed the initiative of 1Sambayan to unite the political opposition ahead of the May 2022 elections.

Pacquiao, who recently announced his candidacy for president, said the “call for unity is truly urgent because the survival of our nation is at stake.”

“Ako po ay bukas sa mga ganitong pag-uusap lalo na kung ang layunin nito ay ang maisulong ang anumang hakbang na para sa pagkakaisa at ikabubuti ng bansa,” he said.

(I am open to this kind of discussion especially if the objective is to unite the people and ensure the welfare of the country.)

He said leaders should prioritize the interests of the citizens, not personal ambition.

“We must unite for the greater good. We must unite because in unity, there is victory,” he said.

Earlier in the day, 1Sambayan lead convenor and retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio said the “unity talks” would continue even after some personalities had already announced their presidential ambitions.

“The unity talks will continue because, as you know, even after you have filed your certificate of candidacy, you can withdraw, you can slide down, you can run for [another] office,” he said.

“It’s still ongoing. Nothing is fixed in stone.”

Vice President Leni Robredo also said that she remained committed to forming a united opposition ticket to defeat the Duterte administration bets in the 2022 polls, saying that what should happen would happen.

Robredo has yet to decide whether to join the presidential race.—Virgil Lopez/AOL, GMA News