ADMINISTRATION senatorial candidate former senator Manny Pacquiao has struck an alliance with Manila mayoral candidate Isko Moreno, one of his rivals in the 2022 presidential race, who has endorsed his bid to return to the Senate.
Moreno endorsed Pacquiao’s senatorial bid even if the former Manila mayor is a known ally of Vice President Sara Duterte, who even campaigned with him in Manila last Thursday night.
Pacquiao, a member of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Alyansa para Bagong Pilipinas” senatorial slate, said he believes that he is winning the support from both administration allies and former political rivals because his campaign is not just about winning a seat in the Senate but “rallying the nation behind a shared dream of inclusive growth, social justice, and compassion-driven governance.”
Moreno, whose real name is Francisco Domagoso, joined the boxing legend in a campaign sortie in Baseco and Sta Ana, Manila this Saturday, saying the two of them both had humble beginnings.
This endorsement marks the second time a former presidential rival has thrown his support behind Pacquiao since former vice president Leni Robredo also did the same last week in Naga City.
Marcos Jr., who won the 2022 presidential race, personally picked Pacquiao to be part of the Alyansa ticket.
Moreno said he could relate to Pacquiao’s life story, which he said should serve as “an inspiration to millions of Filipinos who are struggling to overcome poverty.”
In that same campaign rally, Moreno also endorsed Pacquiao’s fellow Alyansa senatorial candidate reelectionist Sen. Francis Tolentino.
Pacquiao thanked Moreno for the endorsement, promising to champion laws that will uplift the poor. “Ang laban ng mahirap ay laban nating lahat (The fight of the poor is the fight of all of us),” he said.
“Hindi pwedeng iwanan ang mahihirap sa biyahe ng pag-unlad. ‘Dyan natin kasama mga naniniwala sa akin. Kung magkaisa tayo, kaya nating itaguyod ang isang gobyernong tunay na para sa masa, makatao, makatarungan, at makabansa (The poor can never be left behind in the journey to progress. That’s where we are with those who believe in me. If we unite, we can have a government that is truly for the masses, for the people, a just and nationalistic one),” he said.
