As a joint candidate with PROMDI standard-bearer Manny Pacquiao, presidential candidate Panfilo “Ping” Lacson claimed he was “willing to share” with running partner Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

Lacson also accepted House Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza’s apologies for publicly requesting that he withdraw from the presidential campaign.

Lacson invited Atienza and Pacquiao to a political gathering in Quezon Memorial Circle on Saturday, which he described as a forum to “jointly proclaim the new unique team-up of Sotto as the common vice-presidential candidate of both Sen. Ping Lacson and Sen. Manny Pacquiao.”

“Atienza is willing to withdraw from the electoral race and hopes for Sotto to become the running mate of his presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao, that is the only reason Atienza earlier suggested for Senator Ping Lacson to withdraw from the election race but Atienza expressed admiration for the character and leadership of Lacson,” according to a press statement released by the forum.

Atienza, who is recovering from surgery for a foot condition, previously stated that his weeks-long absence on the campaign trail had affected his election chances.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao stated that he was still open to a Manny-Sotto offer, coined “MaSo.”

Atienza has stated that a change in the presidential and vice presidential teams might affect the campaign dynamics.

In the Pulse Asia poll, presidential contender Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. maintains the top. However, Vice President Leni Robredo’s approval rating increased by almost 9 percentage points in the most recent poll.

Pacquiao was placed fourth in the current Pulse Asia poll, while Lacson was ranked fifth. The Lacson-Sotto team previously noted that polls sway voters.