Senator Panfilo Lacson was sworn in as president of Partido Reporma. From left to right: House speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Partido Reporma founder and former Defense Secretary Renato de Villa, Sen. Panfilo Lacson and former Cong. Monsour del Rosario. Photo courtesy of Partido Reporma
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Thursday took his oath as chairman of Partido Reporma, just a week after he confirmed his presidential bid in the 2022 elections.
Lacson, who will run in tandem with Senate President Vicente Sotto III as his vice president, has remained an independent candidate since 2004, until now.
“My advocacies are well-aligned with those of Reporma like people’s sovereignty and democracy, decentralization and devolution of powers, social justice responsibility, strong economic foundation, environmental awareness, voters’ education, among others,” Lacson said in a statement.
Partido Reporma shared a photo through its Facebook page, showing Lacson taking his oath in the presence of party president former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and party founder former Defense Secretary Renato de Villa.
Former Makati Rep. Monsour del Rosario was also present during Lacson’s oath-taking.
The party, founded by De Villa in 1997, aims to “continue and improve the landmark reforms achieved during the Ramos administration that broke up monopolies and leveled the playing field for the improvement of public service, the progress of the economy, and the benefit of all Filipinos,” according to Lacson’s statement.
It became “dormant” after the 2004 elections and was revived by Alvarez in 2020.