Pacquiao allies to support Duterte instead of Binay

GENERAL SANTOS CITY - Members of Sarangani Representative and senatorial aspirant Manny Pacquiao's local party, the People's Champ Movement, are publicly supporting Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte instead of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

This, despite local members renewing their allegiance to the Binay-led United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) during Sarangani province's Munato Festival celebration in November.

Even though Pacquiao is firm in supporting Binay, most of his local candidates in General Santos City and Sarangani are supporting Duterte. Former General Santos City mayor and now city councilor Rosalita Nunez said she would have supported Binay if Duterte is not running.

"You know that by heart, si Congressman Manny Pacquiao is really for Mayor Duterte but he showed commitment to VP Binay already," Nunez said.

Nunez said Pacquiao, being the chairman of the party, has been well-informed of their personal decision and Pacquiao did not force any of his allies to support Binay, but encouraged all to stay with UNA.

"Nagpaalam na ako sa kanya and he knows very well na I am for Duterte because he is a Mindanaoan and we can't afford to miss the golden opportunity that maybe the next president of the Philippines is from Mindanao," Nunez explained.

Other local councilors under People's Champ Movement have been very vocal about supporting Mayor Duterte. Kagawad Jeng Gacal, Pacquiao's close friend said he is excited for Mayor Duterte.

"I think he is a very charismatic leader and the country needs a Duterte to lead the country," Gacal said.

Gacal, who is originally a member of the PDP-Laban, hopes Duterte will not be disqualified. He also warned that the public might get angry if the Commission on Elections (Comelec) decides to disqualify Duterte.

"Sa tingin ko, talagang magkakagulo if Comelec will disqualify Digong. I hope he won't be disqualified," Gacal said.

Back in October, Pacquiao said it would be an embarrassment if he would not support Duterte for president. Back then, Duterte had yet to decide whether to run for the country's highest post.

However, after Duterte did not file his certificate of candidacy for president, Pacquiao firmed up his alliance with Binay.

The boxing champion said he is staying with Binay because he does not want to be accused of being fickle-minded.

But Pacquiao's affinity with his fellow Mindanaoan became evident when he defended the latter, who drew flak over his controversial remarks against the Pope.