Independent presidential bet Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. Contributed photo
MANILA, Philippines — Independent presidential bet Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson felt revitalized in his first provincial sortie in Mindanao on Wednesday since parting ways with Partido Reporma.
“I’m surprised, it seems our campaign was rejuvenated. I feel unburdened especially after so many people came out and said they are supporting me. Most of the candidates in other areas joined Reporma because of me. When I asked them about their decision, they said they joined the party because they wanted to join me,” Lacson said in a mix of English and Tagalog, in a press conference in Zamboanga City.
“Parang nabuhayan instead na napilayan (My campaign feels more re-energized than crippled),” he added.
READ: Lacson leaves Partido Reporma, to run as independent candidate
Only last March 24, Lacson left Reporma after members led by party president former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez were shifted support to another candidate.
For his part, Lacson’s running mate, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, said this shows their fighting spirit.
“We should have a fighting spirit, just like in sports. We need that spirit to fight for the one who we believe is more qualified and competent,” he said.
Lacson and Sotto conducted their sortie in Zamboanga City Wednesday. Joining them were senatoriables Minguita Padilla and Emmanuel Piñol.
They paid a courtesy call to Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco before holding a town-hall meeting with representatives of various sectors.
Lacson appealed to voters to vote for those who they believe deserve to win because they are competent and not because they are “winnable.”
“It is a wrong notion to think your vote will be wasted on someone competent just because he is not topping the surveys. The bigger waste will be if we vote for someone who is doing well in the surveys but lacks the competence for the job ahead,” he said.