Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano said Friday he would not run for president in next year’s elections.

In a radio interview, Cayetano said he would not seek the highest position in the country because he does not want to “divide the nation further at a time when unity is what is most needed.”

“We did our best but together with the family and close supporters, hindi po tayo tatakbo bilang pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas ngayong 2022 (I will not be running for president of the Republic of the Philippines in 2022),” he said.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives said he wants to focus on drafting a five-year economic recovery plan that can be adopted by the candidates for president, as well as pushing for the proposal to provide PHP10,000 in direct stimulus to every Filipino family amid the pandemic.

“Kasi mas importante naman yung role mo at yung maitutulong mo rather than the position (Your role and what you can do to help is more important than the position),” he said.

Cayetano said he could open lines of communication with presidential candidates and share new ideas in dealing with the pandemic.

“Since hindi na isang presidentiable or isang tao lang ang nag-a-advocate, sana ito ay yakapin din at kunin din nung iba kasi kailangang kailangan natin ng plano (Since it’s not coming from a presidential candidate and it’s not just one person advocating it, I hope they will embrace it and accept it because we really need a plan),” he said.

Senator Manny Pacquiao was the first aspirant to file a certificate of candidacy (COC) for president at the Sofitel Harbor Garden Tents in Pasay City on Friday.

The senator also named his running mate – former Manila mayor and Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza. (PNA)