Presidential bet Sen. Panfilo Lacson and vice presidential running mate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, woo voters in Laguna on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. (Photo from Lacson-Sotto media bureau)
MANILA, Philippines — Long-time Senate allies and members of the so-called “macho bloc” in the upper chamber, Senator Panfilo Lacson, Senate President Vicente Sotto III and former Senator Gringo Honasan shared the stage for the first time on Tuesday since the campaign period began.
Lacson and Sotto, who are seeking the presidency and vice presidency, respectively, were joined by Honasan and other members of the tandem’s senatorial slate as they wooed voters in vote-rich Laguna.
Former Senator JV Ejercito, Dr. Minguita Padilla, former Philippine National Police chief Guillermo Eleazar and former Agriculture Secretary Manny Pinol also joined the Lacson-Sotto tandem in the Laguna visit.
The candidates held a town hall event at the Santo Angel Sur Covered Court, where they spoke before the local folk, including small business owners, tricycle operators and drivers.
“It was the first time after 15 days in the official campaign period for the national elections that Lacson, Sotto and Honasan shared a campaign stage, following their many years together as lawmakers on the Senate floor,” a statement from Lacson-Sotto media bureau read.
Honasan is a guest candidate of the Lacson-Sotto tandem and is running as an independent bet in a bid to return to the upper chamber.
He was first elected as a senator in 1995 and has served a total of 21 years in the upper chamber.
The Senate “macho bloc” is composed of Honasan, Lacson, Sotto and Senator Lito Lapid.
The said bloc “has taken many forms through the years, but usually denotes a group of lawmakers with common, strong stances on national issues, sometimes when even in the minority,” the statement added.
Senator Manny Pacquiao, an adopted member of the bloc, was the only one missing from the “mini-reunion.”
He is among Lacson’s presidential rivals in the May 9 polls and is embarking on different campaign activities.
Other engagements
The Lacson-Sotto tandem and their senatorial candidates also visited a public market in Sta. Cruz, Laguna earlier in the day.
LOOK: Presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo Lacson visits Sta. Cruz public market in vote-rich Laguna today.
He is joined by his VP running mate, Senate President Tito Sotto (📷Lacson's office) | @CMRamosINQ pic.twitter.com/npjWezwS5r
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 22, 2022
After their town hall meeting, they paid a courtesy to Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez and Vice Governor Karen Agapay.
They are scheduled to hold a “walkathon” in Brgy. Baybayin in Los Baños. From there, they will travel to Calamba.