Lacson, Sotto eye two ‘newcomers in politics’ as ‘surprise’ Senate bets

MANILA, Philippines — Two “new faces” in politics are “seriously considering” running for the Senate under the slate of Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III’s tandem in 2022.

This was disclosed by Lacson, who is running for the presidency in the coming elections with Sotto as his vice president.

“We might have one or two surprise senatorial candidates under our line-up. I’ve talked to them and they’re seriously considering. These are surprise candidates,” Lacson said in an INQside Look interview Thursday.

The senator did not reveal their names but said they are “unlikely” but “winnable” senatorial candidates.

“[They’re] newcomers in politics. Surprise candidates kasi magugulat kayo kung sino yon. If it materializes, but meron kaming preliminary na paguusap at ako mismo nagulat din na yun, he also wants to throw his hat into the political area,” Lacson added.

He said he already requested Sotto to reserve at least two spots in their senatorial line-up for these possible candidates.

Meanwhile, Sotto said seven to eight personalities are already sure to run for the upper chamber under the tandem’s slate.

These include former Vice President Jejomar Binay and former Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero, JV Ejercito, Gringo Honasan and Loren Legarda.

Reelectionist Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Joel Villanueva are also included in the line-up.

“Then we’re looking at the possibility of them running: si Senator Richard Gordon, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, [Leyte 4th District Rep]. Lucy Torres-Gomez and probable Atty. Goyo Larrazabal, former Comelec commissioner,” Sotto added.

“Pero as far as we know, they will decide soon, perhaps we will be able to come up with 12 that we would want to endorse as senators,” he further said.

EDV