Several presidential and vice presidential candidates convened on Easter Sunday at the Manila Peninsula to reiterate that they will not be withdrawing from the upcoming May elections
Presidential candidates Isko Moreno, Panfilo Lacson, and Norberto Gonzales said that they will be pushing through with their candidacies to become more worthy choices for president.
"Hinding-hindi kami magbibitiw sa kampanya. Ang bawat isa sa amin ay magpapatuloy sa aming mga sariling kandidatura upang maging mga karapatdapat na pagpilian ng ating sambayanang Pilipino," they said in a joint statement.
(There will be no withdrawals. Each of us will continue with our respective presidential campaigns and strive to be worthy of choices from which our people will select.)
According to the candidates, they are also promising to combat "any attempt to subvert the true will of the people by preemptive measures of otherwise limit their choices."
They also committed to "serve in the government" of whoever among them is chosen by the people to be the next president.
The document was signed by the present presidentiables, as well as their running mates namely Dr. Willie Ong for Moreno and Senate President Vicente Sotto III for Lacson.
Presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao's name was also in the document, but he was not present during the event nor did he sign the document.
According to Sotto, however, Pacquiao was also with them on their statement, but had to fly to General Santos for an emergency.
