Pacquiao on Easter Sunday presscon: Hindi ko inaasahan na ganu'n magiging resulta

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — Presidential candidate and Senator Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday said the outcome of the Easter Sunday joint press conference of several presidential candidates was something he did not expect.

"Alam ko yon at inimbitahan ako. Hindi ko inaasahan na ganu'n magiging resulta ng press con," Pacquiao said in an ambush interview here upon his arrival at the Laoag International Airport.

The press conference was attended by Senator Panfilo Lacson, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, and former Defense secretary Norberto Gonzales. It became controversial when Moreno called on Vice President Leni Robredo to withdraw from the presidential race.

Lacson earlier said he was not aware of Moreno's plan against Robredo, while Gonzales has apologized to Robredo.

The three held the press conference at a five-star hotel to reject calls for them to back out from the presidential race.

Pacquiao, who was not able to attend the press conference as his flight from General Santos City was delayed, said the event was not meant to disparage other candidates and ask them to withdraw but to call for a clean and honest election.

"Wala sa usapan 'yung manira tayo ng tao at saka magsasabing mag-withdraw ka [Talking ill of other candidates and asking them to withdraw was not discussed]," the former world boxing champion said.

However, Pacquiao said that prior to his flight back in Manila, he already received reports that attacks will allegedly be launched against Robredo.

He thus affirmed his running mate Lito Atienza's statement that his common sense kept him from attending the press conference.

"Hindi naman kontra ang paniniwala namin. Totoo naman 'yun. Noong umpisa na sinabi nila sa akin na ang pag-uusapan... ang presscon na ito ay pagkakaisa para sa matiwasay at malinis na halalan at magtulungan ang bawat isa para sa isang adbokasiya, adhikain na mapaunlad ang ating bansa at masolusyonan ang problema ng ating bansa, 'yun yon. Pero nu'ng may nasagap akong balita na may aatakihin, 'yun ay hindi ko inaprubahan 'yun at ayaw ko ng ganoon."

(Our statements are not in contradiction with each other. What he (Atienza) said was true. In the beginning, they told me that what we would talk about... that this press conference was for unity for a peaceful and clean elections and for everyone to work together for an advocacy, an aim to improve our country and to solve its problems, that's it. But when I got news that someone will be attacked, I did not approve of it and I did not want that.)

Pacquiao believes his absence from the press conference was some sort of divine intervention. "Kapag guided ka ng Panginoon, ang Panginoon gagawa ng paraan para protektahan ka [If you are guided by the Lord, the Lord will find ways to protect you]."

Pacquiao said he has neither read nor signed the resolution presented during the press conference. —KBK/RSJ, GMA News