RUN OR RETIRE | Lacson says he will only run for president if Sotto agrees to be his running mate

June 8, 2021 , 06:05 PM

(June 8, 2021) – Independent Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Tuesday said he will seek the presidency next year on one condition – if the Senate president agrees to be his running mate.

The former national police head, Lacson said he would rather retire from politics if Vicente “Tito” Sotto III would decide not to run for public office. Lacson, 73, can seek a second, six-year term but Sotto served two six-year terms and is only eligible to run for another public office.

“Cast in stone na ‘yun,” Lacson said in a Zoom interview with reporters. “In case na mag-decide, walang iba kundi si Senate President [ang vice president ko]. Usapan na namin ‘yun.”

Lacson, an independent senator who does not have any political affiliation, said he would not run under the political opposition 1Sambayan banner.

Three political parties have asked him to join as a vice presidential candidate, but turned them down because it was not aligned with his political career.

Lacson, who is known for his anti-corruption crusade and shunning “pork barrel,” said he wanted Sotto to run as his vice president because of his experience in politics and his character as a consensus builder.

For his part, Sotto said his decision to run for vice president depends on Lacson’s decision to seek the presidency.

Both have begun consulting former Cabinet members to assess their chances, discussing election issues, like the West Philippine Sea and the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“May mga kinakausap kami para i-guide kami, i-crack ang ulo namin kung paano ireresolba … Kung sakaling finally mag-decide na [kaming] mag-embark doon sa political journey na ‘yun, at least alam namin na preparado kami,” Lacson said.

“As I matured in public service, in politics, hindi lang pwedeng passion and emotion. Kailangan talagang pag-aralan mong mabuti ‘yung susuungin mo before you make a decision.”

Lacson, who has been in public office for 29 years, said he would rather retire if his plans for the presidency would not work out well.

But he will still support Sotto if he runs for vice president.

Lacson graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1971.

In 1999, then-president Joseph Estrada appointed him as national police chief.

He won a seat in the Senate in 2001 and challenged former President Gloria Arroyo in the 2004 elections. He lost but returned to Senate until 2007 and won a second term until 2013.

After his two terms ended, former President Benigno Aquino III appointed him to oversee the rebuilding of areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Yolanda. He returned to the Senate in 2016.

(Beatrice Puente/MM with reports from Maeanne Los Baños, News5)

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