Partido Reporma defends Lacson vs red-tagging flak

Presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo Lacson addresses the crowd at Imus Grandstand, where he officially launched his presidential campaign on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. Photo from Lacson’s office.

MANILA, Philippines — Partido Reporma on Monday came to the defense of its party chair and standard-bearer Sen. Panfilo Lacson after he drew flak over his criticism and alleged red-tagging of attendees to the political rally for the tandem of Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Francis Pangilinan.

In a statement, the Cavite chapter of Partido Reporma sought to affirm the tweet of Lacson who reacted to the allegations of Cavite Rep. Crispin Remulla that the participants in the rally were paid, and that the rally was organized by student activists with supposed communist links.

“This is worrisome. A coalition government with the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-News People’s Army-National Democratic Front) will set back the gains of the government’s efforts to end the country’s decades-old insurgency problem,” Lacson tweeted on Sunday.

In a separate tweet on Monday, Lacson denied accusations he red-tagged Robredo’s supporters, even as he maintained the veracity of his claims.

“I never red-tagged anybody. I was simply warning those concerned to be wary of a possible coalition government with a movement whose sole objective is to seize power,” he said.

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