Lacson-Sotto tandem’s top priority? A ‘stronger’ pandemic response

Senators Panfilo Lacson and Vicente Sotto III officially launch their tandem for 2022 national polls.

MANILA, Philippines — A “stronger” response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be the top priority of Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III should they win as president and vice president, respectively, in the 2022 elections.

“Kailangan natin ng lider na ang tama ay ipaglalaban at ang mali ay lalabanan. Kaya naman magiging una sa ating prayoridad ang mas maigting na pagtugon sa pandemya. Marapat lamang na punan ang mga kakulangan at ituwid ang mga kamalian,” Lacson said during the official launch of his tandem with Sotto on Wednesday.

(We need a leader who will fight for what is right and will fight what is wrong. Hence, the first of our priorities is a stronger response to the pandemic. We have to fill the gaps and correct the wrongdoing.)

Lacson will be gunning for the presidency with Sotto as his vice presidential candidate running mate in next year’s elections.

“We have to prepare for sustainable recovery from this health crisis,” Lacson went on.

“I have no doubt that with a united citizenry, we will soon see the day that COVID-19 will no longer be a scare,” he added.

Further, the senator stressed the need for “strict discipline” in the management of public coffers.

“Walang mangungurakot at magsasamantala, malapit mang kaibigan o hindi kilala. Dapat isa lamang ang pamantayan na susundin at ipapatupad ng lahat, para sa lahat,” Lacson said.

(There will no longer be swindlers and exploiters, whether close friends or strangers. There should be only one standard for everyone to follow and enforce.)

“Walang sisinuhin sa mga ganid na ginagawang negosyo ang gobyerno,” he added.

(There are no sacred cows among those who will profit from the government.)

According to Lacson, he and Sotto are now in the process of drawing up a “roadmap” or a “master plan” that will serve as their platform of government which they intend to present to the Filipino public.

“After all, sa takdang panahon, kayo ang magdedesisyon kung karapat-dapat ba kaming pagkatiwalaan na mamuno sa ating bayan,” he said.

(After all, at the proper time, it is you who will decide if we are worthy of your trust in leading our nation.)

Sotto, for his part, acknowledged the different problems facing the country today, including the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

“Humaharap po tayo sa mga matitinding suliranin: Bagsak na ekonomiya; Pagkalat at pagtaas ng mga kaso ng COVID-19 sa buong bansa; Laganap na korapsyon; Paghihirap ng mga Pilipino,” he said.

(We face serious problems: A failed economy; Prevalence and increase of COVID-19 cases nationwide; Widespread corruption; Suffering of Filipinos.)

“Pinapangako namin na hindi kami titigil sa laban na ito hanggang hindi nanunumbalik ang kaayusan ng ating bansa. Pangako iyan. At kapag kami ang nangako, hindi mapapako,” the Senate leader said.

(We promise that we will not stop this fight until the order of our country is restored. That’s a promise. And when we make a promise, we will never break it.)

Lacson and Sotto are the first to announce their 2022 election bids.

They have yet to reveal their official senatorial slate but Lacson earlier said they are eyeing up to two “newcomers in politics” as “surprise” candidates for the Senate.

/MUF