Pacquiao rejects Lacson bid to back Sotto as common VP bet

Presidential candidate and Senator Manny Pacquiao on Saturday thumbed down the proposal of political adversary Senator Panfilo Lacson to endorse Senate President Vicente Sotto III as their common vice presidential candidate.

In a media briefing at his campaign headquarters in Makati City, Pacquiao also rejected Lacson's invitation to join his Quezon City rally on Saturday to endorse Sotto.

"With respect to my Vice-President, malinaw naman siguro 'yung sinabi niya na maggi-give way lang siya kung mag-give way din si Lacson. Pero 'pag hindi naman, tuloy din siya so pangit naman na pupunta tayo doon na may vice-president pa tayo," Pacquiao said.

(With respect to my running mate Atienza, he was clear in saying he will only give way if Lacson does the same. If not, he will continue. So it would be inappropriate for me to go to Lacson's campaign with Atienza still my vice-president.)

"Malabo 'yung pupunta ako kay Sotto sa rally nila para mag-endorse sa kanya. Malabo yun," he added.

"Pangit... Respeto na lang kay Lito Atienza (It is inappropriate. Let us respect Atienza)," Pacquiao said when asked about the possibility his giving in to Lacson's proposal on Sotto.

Pacquiao said however said he is not dismissing the possibility of having a dialogue with Sotto regarding their political plans.

"Kailangan siguro pag-usapan 'yung mga bagay na 'yan kasi bilang respeto sa aking vice-president na pinagkakatiwalaan eh ang sinabi niya maliwanag naman. 'Wag na nating pahabain pa ang usapan," Pacquiao pointed out.

(Perhaps we should talk about those things because, out of respect for my vice-president Atienza whom I trust. What he said was clear.)

Pacquiao pushed with his campaign in Manila on Saturday, conducting a motorcade at the Divisoria area and holding a community forum at the Happyland open court in Tondo. —LBG, GMA News