‘Taken by surprise,’ Partido Reporma founder to ‘stick’ with Lacson

Partido Reporma founder Renato de Villa bumps fist with Senator Panfilo Lacson during his oath taking as party chairman on July 29, 2021. Party president Pantaleon Alvarez (left) and Partido Reporma Senate bet Monsour del Rosario (right) are also in the photo. Photo courtesy of Lacson’s office

MANILA, Philippines — Partido Reporma founder and chairman emeritus former Defense Secretary Renato de Villa will “stick” with presidential contender Senator Panfilo Lacson after party president former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez shifted his support to another candidate.

“As an original [e]ndorser of Sen. Ping Lacson for President, let me further say: I will stick with Ping and continue to [e]ndorse and support him. Like a true soldier in combat, [I] hope that those fighting for him in this political battle will continue the fight and not leave him behind,” De Villa said in a statement released by Lacson’s office on Friday.

De Villa admitted being “taken by surprise” by the turn of events which led Lacson to resign as chairman and member of the party.

Lacson attributed his departure from Partido Reporma to Alvarez and the party’s Davao del Norte bloc’s decision to endorse another presidential candidate.

READ: Lacson leaves Partido Reporma, to run as independent candidate

Shortly after Lacson announced his resignation, Alvarez announced he was backing Vice President Leni Robredo’s presidential bid.

READ: Why Robredo? Alvarez said he wants to continue his fight vs Marcos dictatorship

‘Unfortunate scenario’

“For my part as Chairman Emeritus of the new Partido Reporma, I must admit that I was taken by surprise on the events yesterday as I had no [inkling] that such an unfortunate scenario would happen to our new party,” De Villa said.

“Obviously, [I] cannot do anything about it anymore as I consider both Ping and Bebot (Alvarez) as mature politicians and capable of making  decisions based on personal conviction,” he added.

He then urged the public to vote for the presidential candidate “of your choice.”

“[C]onsider it as your contribution to the establishment of an honest and competent government that can bring about a better future for our beloved country,” he added.

The party was founded by De Villa in 1997. It became “dormant” after the 2004 elections and was revived by Alvarez in 2020.

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