Presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo Lacson addresses the crowd at the Imus Grandstand, where he officially launched his presidential campaign on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. (Photo from his office)
MANILA, Philippines — Think of the next generation when voting on May 9 and pick the right leaders, Sen. Panfilo Lacson urged voters on Tuesday as he kicked off his campaign for the presidency in his hometown, Imus in Cavite on Tuesday, Feb. 8.
Voters should no longer choose leaders who would end up stealing from the country’s coffers, Lacson said in his speech before some 4,000 supporters and political allies at the Imus Grandstand.
The senator warned voters against corrupt government officials, saying they would hinder Filipinos’ access to a better future and quality education, healthcare, livelihood, and infrastructure.
“Thieves in government are not selective. They don’t choose who they steal from… The problem is, we ourselves choose who steals from us. Why? Because we vote for them. It’s puzzling why we vote for the people who would steal from us,” he said in Filipino.
“Shouldn’t we wake up to the reality that we are the ones getting a hammer with which we pound ourselves on the head? Let’s choose wisely. Let’s think about the future of our children, our children’s children, the next generation. Let’s stop thinking about ourselves,” he added.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III, a vice presidential candidate, delivers a speech at the proclamation rally of the Lacson-Sotto tandem in Imus, Cavite on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. (Photo from the office of Sen. Panfilo Lacson)
‘Your servants’
Lacson launched his presidential bid, along with vice presidential running mate Senate President Vicente Sotto III, by promising to serve the country with his πbattlecry” to “fix” the government and uplift the lives of Filipinos.
“When we are public servants, if you are the president, the vice president, a senator, you know, the people may not be our masters. But definitely, we are your servants,” he told his fellow Caviteñoas.
“If I will be blessed to serve, I will not embarrass you. I will not let you down,” he added.
For his part, Sotto cited his and Lacson’s long years in the legislative branch, saying it was time for them to implement the laws themselves.
“That’s why we are asking for your trust: If we implement the law, for sure, you will benefit,” the Senate president said. “It’s a different level when the ones who used to make the laws are the ones implementing the laws.”
READ: Lacson-Sotto tandem sets 2022 campaign in motion from Cavite