Hours after Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio announced her decision to withdraw from the mayoralty race, her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, was in huddle with Senator Manny Pacquiao in Malacanang Tuesday evening.
The Palace meeting, which was also attended by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and 1-Pacman party-list Rep. Eric Pineda was a first after months of heated public exchanges that led to the split of the ruling party PDP-Laban.
Pacquiao’s camp said the meeting was set to discuss “certain matters related to people’s interest and Mindanao development, specifically infrastructure and power industry.”
Go described the meeting as a “renewal of friendship.”
“It was a quick catch up. Renewal of friendship. No politics discussed. Manny and I are friends and kumpare,” Go said.
The PDP faction led by Duterte ousted Pacquiao and his allies. This forced Pacquiao to run for president under the Cebu-based PROMDI party.
Go, on the other hand, is the vice presidential candidate of the PDP faction, in tandem with Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
According to Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, Pacquiao will “announce a surprise in the next days.”
Earlier, Pacquiao said he is open to the possibility of teaming up with Vice President Leni Robredo. Last week, however, the senator said his decision to run for president is already final.