Campaign manager doubts Pacquiao, Leni camps' merger

Presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao's campaign manager on Wednesday expressed doubts on the possibility of a merger with rival camp of Vice President Leni Robredo.

Interviewed on ANC, Pacquiao’s campaign manager Buddy Zamora said all camps are willing to continue with their candidacy until the May 9 elections.

“I seriously doubt that [merger] because I would presume once we start it, nobody would want to quit in the middle or towards the end of the race. I'm sure all are committed to running, win or lose,” he said.

He made the statement when asked about the possibility of one of the candidates yielding for the other to minimize the votes of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., after Robredo spoke well of Pacquiao.

On criticisms that Pacquiao is not capable of leading the country, Zamora said that senator is a credible candidate.

“We intend to prove that Senator Pacquiao is a credible candidate and that he will win over potential voters,” he pointed out.

He was also asked about the recent announcement of Marcos’ spokesperson Vic Rodriguez that there is no guarantee that the late dictator’s son will attend the debates organized by the Commission on Elections.

“Senator Pacquiao is prepared to face any kind of debates or interviews. We are not one to choose. We want to join all,” he said.

Earlier unification efforts

On October 15 last year, Robredo said that she has always been sincere in pursuing unity talks with other political parties, in response to then Presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson's doubts on the sincerity of unification efforts.

On the same day, Pacquiao said that he did not discount the possibility of teaming up with Robredo.

GMA New Online has tried to contact VP Robredo's camp for comments, but is still waiting for response as of posting time. —LBG, GMA News