MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri will remain in the senatorial slate of presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao despite the reelectionist lawmaker’s support for the bid of his opponent Bongbong Marcos, the boxing icon said.
Even after Zubiri endorsed Marcos during a campaign sortie in his home province of Bukidnon, Pacquiao said he will continue to support his fellow Mindanaoan to ensure the representation of southern and central Philippines in the Senate.
“Gusto ko manalo naman iyan dahil Mindanaoan. Ang intention ko, hindi ito pangsarili, kundi ang interes ng ating bayan,” Pacquiao said Wednesday.
(I want him to win because he’s from Mindanao. My intention is not personal, but for the interest of the public.)
“Hanggang walang development na mangyayari sa Mindanao, huwag kayo mag-isip na magiging payapa ang Mindanao,” he added.
(As long as there is no development in Mindanao, don’t think that there will be peace there.)
Pacquiao, however, said the politicians who are supporting Marcos will only have themselves to blame once the dictator’s clan returns to Malacañang and Mindanao suffers.
The tandem of Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Tito Sotto III earlier said they are no longer endorsing the reelection bid of Zubiri.
Zubiri is also included in the senatorial ticket of Vice President Leni Robredo.