MANILA — Filipino boxing superstar and Saranggani congressman Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao is among the big names being considered by the opposition in its senatorial lineup for 2016 elections, according to Senator Joseph Victor Ejecito on Tuesday.
”As of now we have not talked about it but there’s a lot of possible names like Manny Pacquiao. Yes, Manny is being considered,” Ejercito said in a Senate media interview.
Ejercito said the opposition has yet to start its full preparation for the next election.
”As of now we have not really started our preparation although our titular head is doing very well in the survey,” Ejercito said, referring to Vice President Jejomar Binay who has already declared his intention to run for President as early as 2010.
In fact, Ejercito said Binay would not talk about his possible running mate until “probably next year.”
”It’s too early to prepare for that (2016 elections). Perhaps in January next year. Anything can still happen,” he said.
Aside from Pacquiao, Ejercito said former senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Richard Gordon are also being considered as opposition senatorial candidates.
Zubiri and Gordon failed to make it in the Magic 12 in the mid-term 2013 senatorial polls dominated 9-3 by the administration Team PNoy.