SEN. Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto II yesterday officially launched their presidential and vice presidential candidacies in next year’s elections.
Lacson promised the public a “stronger pandemic response” and equal enforcement of law in the pre-recorded event held at the Resorts World Manila and aired on various networks and social media sites.
At the formal launch dubbed “Ito ang Simula (This is the start)” which centers on “Katapangan, Kakayahan at Katapatan (courage, competence, and integrity),” Lacson said he and Sotto will bring solutions to the country’s problems through their combined 80 years of experience in public service.
“Kailangan natin ng lider na ang tama ay ipaglalaban at ang mali ay lalabanan… magiging una sa ating prayoridad ang mas maigting na pagtugon sa pandemya. Marapat lamang na punan ang mga kakulangan at ituwid ang mga kamalian (We need a leader who will fight for what is right and will fight what is wrong… the first of our priorities is a stronger response to the pandemic. We have to fill shortcomings and correct wrongdoings),” Lacson said amid Senate investigations into alleged mishandling of COVID-19 response funds and purchase of overpriced medical equipment.
Lacson and Sotto spoke of enormous challenges they would face if elected.
“The country is buried in debt, many have lost their jobs … corruption is prevalent and illegal drugs is still rampant,” Lacson said in a swipe at President Duterte, who was elected on promises to eliminate corruption and drugs.
Lacson will be an outside bet and has been ranked low in independent opinion polls of preferred presidential candidates for 2022, which have consistently shown Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, as the winning candidate.
Lacson said strict discipline in the management of public coffers is needed to stop corruption.
“There will no longer be swindlers and exploiters, whether close friends or strangers. There should only be one standard for everybody to follow and enforce. There are no sacred cows among those who will profit from the government,” he said in Filipino.
He said local government units should be given “bigger roles and responsibilities, but with greater accountability” for nationwide development.
Sotto said the country can recover from the problems if the people will trust them to do the job.
“Perhaps, we have come to the point where we can no longer ignore what is happening to our government and to our economy. Enough! We need to respond! We need to take action! We need to work together to prevent and correct mistakes. This is the beginning,” Sotto said in Filipino.
“Because we know that this is our last chance to do what is right to save the future of today’s generation and the generations to come. But more than that, we are here because we believe that if we work together, we will succeed,” Sotto added.
Sotto said they are still finalizing their senatorial lineup and will have a separate event to announce it.
Lacson and Sotto are first to announced their intention to run for higher offices next year.
Lacson belongs to Partido Reporma of which he is chairman, while Sotto is also chairman of the Nationalist People’s Coalition.
Lacson, 73, a former PNP chief, ran unsuccessfully for president in 2004. He is known for his tough stance on crime and for helping to draft a controversial anti-terror law which activists have condemned and fear could be used to crush dissent. — With Reuters
