CAUAYAN, Isabela — For Senator Panfilo Lacson, the only two lawyers in this year’s presidential race will not get the endorsement of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Dalawa lang ‘yun abogadong tumatakbo, siguradong hindi naman niya ieendorso,” Lacson said in a press conference here.
Lacson’s remark came as Duterte earlier said that a decisive, compassionate lawyer is an ideal president of the country.
The President did not mention names but only Vice President Leni Robredo and Jose Montemayor are lawyers among those vying to be his successor via the elections on May 9.
READ: ‘Sana abogado:’ A compassionate lawyer will make a good president, says Duterte
‘Any endorsement is welcome’
Lacson then said any endorsement is welcome so long as it is not from the “devil.”
“Lahat ng endorsements, welcome. Lahat ng endorsements ay good, ‘wag lang [mula] sa demonyo,” the senator said.
While his tandem with vice-presidential candidate Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III is not actively seeking endorsements, Lacson said getting one from local officials is “good.”
READ: Duterte endorsement is ‘gold,’ but Lacson-Sotto tandem won’t rely on it
“Especially ‘pag president ang nage-endorse, that is really good,” he added.
Lacson and Sotto have been banking on their decades-long experience in public service, especially their years serving in the Senate, in a bid to boost their candidacies.
READ: Banking on ‘history’ with Isabela, Lacson-Sotto pair ‘feels’ Solid North support
“Basta ang alam naming dalawa, kami ‘yung pinaka-qualified, kami ‘yung pinaka-competent. Kami ‘yung pinaka-experienced,” he also said.
RELATED STORY
Lacson-Sotto team sees cracks in the ‘Solid North’