Senator Panfilo Lacson talks to the media during a press conference in Cauayan, Isabela on Monday, Mar. 14, 2022. Photo from Lacson-Sotto media bureau
CAUAYAN, Isabela — Presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday described as “reassuring” the denial issued by fellow contender Vice President Leni Robredo about her alleged formation of a coalition government with communist rebels.
“Mabuti. Magandang pakinggan ‘yun na walang coalition. That’s more of less reassuring na, at least publicly, sinabi niya na walang nangyayaring coalition,” Lacson told reporters in a press conference here.
“That’s good enough for me,” he added.
Robredo earlier branded as a “lie” allegations that she will form a coalition government with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New People’s Army (NPA), and the National Democratic Front (NDF).
READ: Robredo on being linked to CPP-NPA: ‘It’a lie… Try harder’
Robredo’s remark comes after Lacson warned of a possible “coalition government” between Robredo and the CPP-NPA-NDF as he reacted to claims made by Cavite 7th District Rep. Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla that participants of a pro-Robredo rally in Cavite were either paid to join or were trained by the NDF.
Remulla, older brother of Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla, did not mention any rally in particular but said that participants were wearing pink — Robredo’s campaign color.
After Lacson’s tweet-reaction to Rep. Remulla’s claims, the senator earned flak for “red-tagging” participants in the Cavite rally. The senator denied having “red-tagged anybody.”
Last week, Lacson also warned Robredo about a possible “communist infiltration” in her campaign and urged her team “to take appropriate action” against it.
READ: Lacson warns Robredo of ‘communist infiltration’ in campaign; VP spokesman cries foul
Robredo’s spokesperson, Atty. Barry Gutierrez, had said in a statement that the “blatant” and persistent” red-tagging is a new low, adding that rival candidates might only be using fear-mongering to dampen the energy of Robredo’s people’s campaign.
“Binabalaan ko lang na baka hindi nila alam, ako I don’t have reason to believe na alam ni Vice President Leni na kung merong alliance na nangyayari ngayon sa kampanya,” Lacson continued.
“Di ko alam kung nasa consciousness o wala pero sana nasa consciousness nila na kung saka-sakali na manalo sila, ‘wag nang makapasok ‘yung komunista,” he added.