Presidential candidate Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao on Thursday said he will stand by his support for reelectionist Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri and underscored the latter’s crucial role in ensuring representation for Mindanao and Visayas in the Senate.

Pacquiao’s camp made the statement as it confirmed plans to campaign over the weekend in areas of Batangas province which has been ravaged by the eruption of Taal Volcano for the past two years.

“Gusto ko manalo naman iyan (Zubiri) dahil Mindanaoan. Ang intensyon ko hindi ito pangsarili kundi ang interest ng ating bayan. Hanggang walang development na mangyayari sa Mindanao, huwag kayo mag-isip na magiging payapa ang Mindanao (I want him to win. My intention is not for myself but for the country. As long as there is no development in Mindanao, there will be no peace in Mindanao),” Pacquiao said in expressing his support for Zubiri.

Zubiri will remain as one of PROMDI’s guest senatorial candidates although he has already declared his allegiance with presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “BBM” Marcos Jr. during campaign sorties in Bukidnon.

“Kung personal ang interest ko sa buhay, magagalit ako. Ang gusto ko lang magkaroon ng representante ang Mindanao (If it is only my personal interest I would be upset, but all I want is representation for Mindanao),” Pacquiao said. (PNA)