SEN. Panfilo Lacson yesterday said he offered Vice President Leni Robredo a “sure unification formula” for next year’s elections but she “resisted.”
Lacson is seeking the presidency in next year’s elections, with Senate President Vicente Sotto III as his vice presidential candidate.
Robredo, chairman of the Liberal Party, is expected to be the standard bearer of the opposition but she has not made a decision. She earlier said her priority is to unify the opposition.
Yesterday, her spokesman Barry Gutierrez said supporting anyone else for President “is not being considered” yet by the Vice President.
“The first option is still very clearly for VP Leni to run,” he said.
Lacson, in an online media forum last week, disclosed that he and Sotto met with Robredo and former Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, with the meeting arranged by LP president Sen. Francis Pangilinan. But he did not disclose details of the meeting.
Lacson, in an interview with ANC yesterday, said the purpose of the meeting with Robredo was to unify the opposition by having a common candidate who will be pitted against the administration candidate.
“I offered her a sure unification effort or formula to unite. In the end, there was resistance.
I won’t discuss the details pero yun ang nakikita ko talaga (but that’s how I see it). Alam ni Senate President ito (Senate President Sotto knows this) because I offered it to her openly in the presence of Senate President,” Lacson said.
He added: “Hindi siya sold doon sa idea but it was a sure formula for putting up — at least between the two of us — a common candidate but unfortunately she didn’t buy it (She was not sold to the idea but it was a sure formula for putting up at least, between the two of us, a common candidate but unfortunately she didn’t buy it.”
With this, Lacson said he sees that the Vice President is “definitely” entertaining the idea of seeking higher office next year but this will not stop him from doing the same.
“I have a commitment to my partner (Sotto) that come hell or high water, talagang itutuloy namin ito (we will push through with this),” he added.
Lacson and Sotto ares the first to openly declare their intention to seek higher office in the 2022 elections. They will officially announce their candidacy on September 8.
PACQUIAO’S PLAN
Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao said he is “just considering” the idea of running for president next year.
Pacquiao has not publicly announced any intention to seek higher office next year but Sotto earlier said the boxer-turned-politician has expressed “interest” to run for president in 2022.
Pacquiao is in Los Angeles, California preparing for his fight against American Errol Spence in Las Vegas on August 21.
Pacquiao was interviewed in Los Angeles by Alexandra Mary Hirshi aka Supercar Blondie, an Australian social media celebrity best known for her automotive videos.
Hirshi posted the interview on her Facebook page Wednesday.
After asking about Pacquiao’s car choices, Hirshi asked him if he has any plan to seek the highest elective post in the country.
Pacquiao replied: “That’s a tricky question! I’ll answer that after the fight.”
But, Hirshi pressed Pacquiao on the issue.
“I’m just considering it and planning for that after this fight. One at a time. Like I said, one every time… Right now, my focus is 100 percent to the fight,” Pacquiao said.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has resigned from the National Unity Party (NUP) in preparation for this plan to join the Aksyon Demokratiko party.
Moreno formalized his resignation from the NUP in a letter dated August 4 addressed to Masbate Rep. Narciso Bravo Jr. Bravo who is NUP secretary general.
But Moreno postponed his oath-taking before Aksyon Demokratiko leader Robbie Pierre Roco, scheduled yesterday, because of problems at vaccination sites in Metro Manila, including in the city.
Roco is the son of party founder and late senator Raul Roco.
No new date has been set for Moreno’s oath-taking. — With Wendell Vigilia and Ashzel Hachero
