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Joining Pacquiao as running mate a last minute decision, says Atienza

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Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Senator Manny Pacquiao (right) and runningmate Lito Atieza show their certificate of candidacies after filing at the Sofitel tent on October 1, 2021. Val Cuenca, ABS-CBN News" src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/10/01/20211001-election-filing-pacquiao-vc-603.jpg"/><figcaption>Senator Manny Pacquiao (right) and runningmate Lito Atieza show their certificate of candidacies after filing at the Sofitel tent on October 1, 2021. Val Cuenca, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div><p><br/>MANILA - Deputy Speaker and Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza surprised many when he filed on Friday his Certificate of Candidacy for Vice President, as Manny Pacquiao&#x27;s running mate. </p><p>Atienza said his move to join Pacquiao as a running mate was a last minute decision, although he had been repeatedly persuaded by the boxing champ.</p><p>“It was quite a big surprise because I’ve been recommending a lot of people to Manny,” said Atienza, who has long been an adviser of Pacquiao.</p><p>“I told him, ‘I’ve never considered running with you. I can help you win.’”</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/01/21/lito-atienza-files-coc-as-pacquiaos-vp-for-2022">Pacquiao picks Lito Atienza as running-mate for 2022 polls</a></li></ul><p>Atienza said it took him a long while contemplating if he should run alongside Pacquiao.</p><p>He even referred at least five other suitable political partners to the boxer-senator.</p><p>“Pero this morning I tried persuading him why don’t we talk to this guy and this guy? Sabi niya: ‘Takot sila. Ikaw pareho tayo ng paniniwala, ang Diyos ang bahala.’ I couldn’t refuse anymore,” he said.</p><p>When asked to explain his choice, Pacquiao said it was Atienza who first suggested he should run as president.</p><p>“From way way back, ‘di pa ko politiko sinabi niya ‘Pagbutihan mo baka maging presidente ka ng Pilipinas.’ That was 17 years ago,” he said.</p><p>“It’s a conviction from my heart and the Lord na siya ang kunin ko. Itong nangyayari sa amin kagustuhan ng panginoon. Lahat ay masaya at agree silang lahat.”</p><p>Atienza has had a close relationship with Pacquiao since he was Manila mayor.</p><p>L&amp;M Gym, where Pacquiao used to train as a fledgling fighter, is in Sampaloc district in Manila beside University of Santo Tomas.</p><p>Atienza, who considered Pacquiao &quot;an adopted son of Manila,&quot; would put together a motorcade every time Pacquiao returned from a fight in the United States.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/01/21/pacquiao-files-certificate-of-candidacy-for-president">&#x27;Man of Destiny&#x27;: Pacquiao files certificate of candidacy for president, taps Atienza for VP</a></li></ul><p>When Pacquiao started dabbling in public service, Atienza became his political adviser.</p><p>Pacquiao also did have qualms about the differences in their beliefs: He backed death penalty while Atienza opposed it.</p><p>“Pagdating sa death penalty OK ako doon pero hindi pa sa ngayon,” explained Pacquiao.</p><p>“Kasi ang judicial system natin hindi pa maayos. ‘Pag ngayon inimplement ‘yan maraming masentensyahan ng walang kasalanan.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8uei_9u1u5w?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><div><br/> </div>

Deputy Speaker and Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza surprised many when he filed on Friday his Certificate of Candidacy for Vice President, as Manny Pacquiao's running mate. 

Joining Pacquiao as running mate a last minute decision, says Atienza

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Joining Pacquiao as running mate a last minute decision, says Atienza

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 01, 2021 04:30 PM PHT

Read More:

Lito Atienza

Vice Presidential candidate Lito Atienza

Senator Manny Pacquiao

Halalan 2022

Philippine elections

Philippine politics

Lito Atienza COC filing

Manny Pacquiao COC filing

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