Lacson says Robredo’s ‘outright’ rejection of ‘unification formula’ left him ‘quite disappointed’

FILE PHOTO: Senator Panfilo Lacson (left) and Vice President Leni Robredo (right). INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo Lacson admitted on Monday he was “quite disappointed” with Vice President Leni Robredo’s “outright” rejection of his “practical” formula for unification in the 2022 elections.

“Yung sakin, suggestion ‘yun. Top of head lang ito, hindi ito parang solid, ibig sabihin pwede pang may variation ito. Kaya lang, sabihin na nating I was quite disappointed (by) that nip in the bud, so to speak. Ang ini-expect ko sanang sagot ni Vice President Leni, ‘Sige, pagusapan natin yan at magkonsulta ako sa mga supporter,’” Lacson said in an interview on Teleradyo.

(It’s only a suggestion on my part, I thought of it at the top of my head, it’s not solid so it can have other variations. However, you can say I was quite disappointed that it was nipped in the bud, so to speak. I was expecting Vice President Leni to say ‘Alright, we can talk about this and I will consult my supporters.’)

“Pero outright… sinabi niyang ‘Hindi pwede yan,’ or talagang may resistance kaagad. Parang ayoko nang i-pursue, in-explain ko na lamang yung logic yung wisdom, yung rationale ng aking panukala,” he added.

(But outright… she said ‘That can’t be’ or there was resistance immediately. I think I don’t want to pursue it, I already explained the logic, wisdom, and rationale of my proposal.)

Lacson said he suggested that all candidates file their candidacies first in October and then withdraw at a certain point in the election race once the strongest candidate emerges as determined by survey ratings.

Lacson is the first candidate to announce his presidential bid in 2022 with Senate President Vicente Sotto III as his running mate.

Included in Lacson’s proposal is for Sotto to become their common vice presidential candidate.

‘Practical’

Lacson said his suggestion was a “practical” approach since possible candidates will unlikely withdraw their intention to run before filing the certificate of candidacy in October.

“Kung aatras ka before October, before filing, parang unlikely na mangyari. Para sa akin hindi mangyayari yun. Bakit? Di pa naman natin alam kung sino mga tatakbo e,” the senator said.

(If you will withdraw before October, before filing, that’s unlikely to happen. For me that will not happen? Why? You still don’t know who you will go up against.)

“Hindi pa maliwanag yung horizon, so kung makapag-file na, alam na natin kung sinu-sino yung nakapag-file na definitely tatakbo,” he added.

(The horizon is not yet clear, if you file your candidacy, we will know who will definitely run.)

He also said that Robredo’s previous statements about considering winnability to run in the 2022 polls is among the reasons why he thought of his proposal.

“Bago pa kami mag-meeting, naririnig ko rin sinasabi niya, ang isang consideration niya is winnability, sabi niya hindi naman kailangang siya yung tatakbo,” he said.

(Before we even met, I’ve heard before that one of her considerations is winnability, she said she shouldn’t necessarily have to be the one to run.)

“But winnability will not come until the campaign period, nang hindi pa alam kung sino yung mga kandidato, parang ‘di pa practical. Sinong aatras yung ‘di mo pa nga alam sino kalaban mo?” he pointed out.

(But winnability will not come until the campaign period, until the candidates are known. Who will withdraw if you still don’t know who you’re going up against?)

Lacson, nevertheless, had said that he respects Robredo’s decision to decline his “sure unification formula.”

Robredo, for her part, said she opposed Lacson’s offer because of her “personal belief” that she should follow through with her presidential bid until the end, even if she ranks low in surveys.

EDV