Senator Panfilo Lacson. PRIB FILE
MANILA, Philippines — Since the decision on who should lead the country next rests ultimately on the electorate, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Friday voters would have to make a choice in the 2022 elections based on two options: “more of the same” or change.
As he reacted to President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncements that is “seriously considering” running for vice president in next year’s polls, Lacson emphasized the power of the people – through a vote – to bring change in the country.
“The decision still lies with the people, particularly the electorate who will choose the next leaders of this country. It can be simplified in a choice between more of the same or change,” he said in a statement.
“If the choice is change, we can simply reject the status quo. If we are happy with what we have become for the last five years, then continuity should be a better option,” he added.
Lacson also said that the electorate should be asking themselves the following questions in deciding on who to support in 2022:
- Have President Duterte and Sen. Bong Go made the lives of Filipinos better, or things need to be changed or reformed?
- Are Filipinos treated with more respect by the international community or not?
- Is there less corruption now, or is their government more corrupt?
- Are we safer in our homes and in the streets?
- Is poverty up or down?
Duterte, on numerous occasions, has expressed his openness to seek the vice presidency next year. His term as president ends on June 30, 2022.
During the meeting of the ruling political party PDP-Laban, which was aired entirely on government-run PTV 4 which airtime is paid for by taxpayer’s money, members took turns in adulating Duterte to nudge him to run for vice president for “continuity.”
Duterte’s daughter and incumbent Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio is being rumored to having plans of running for president in the 2022 elections, but she has yet to neither confirm nor deny such talks.
READ: Duterte says new President must be friend of his for him to function well as VP
Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III have kicked off their “Tour of Luzon” meetings on Thursday to seek suggestions from different local government units regarding the country’s post-pandemic recovery plan.
Sotto earlier said he will gun for the vice-presidential post if Lacson vies for the presidential seat.