DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental—Fresh from a series of packed rallies in support of presidential aspirant Leni Robredo and running mate Kiko Pangilinan, Tropang Angat senatorial hopeful Alex Lacson made his case to voters in Negros Oriental during a brief campaign stopover on April 2.
Author of the best-selling book, “12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country,” and now a candidate in Robredo’s senate slate, Lacson believes it is about time for the people to vote for a senator from Negros.
“I am a true-blue Negrense because I was born and raised in Kabankalan,” Lacson said in Filipino. “The majority of the current senators are from Luzon, with the remainder from Mindanao,” he added.
“When Senator Franklin Drilon retires, the Visayas, let alone the Negros Province, will have little to no representation.”
But more than gaining a geographical advantage should a Negrense win a senate seat, Lacson emphasized the urgent need for radical political reform in the Philippines.
“There are so many things that need to change and that change must happen now, “ Lacson said. “Such reform can only happen if we elect the right leaders to power.”
Lacson went on to outline some of the changes he plans to implement if he wins a senate seat in the May 9 elections.
He began by emphasizing the importance of truly independent bodies to oversee both government officials and the electoral process. “It is not right for the president to choose the top officials of agencies such as the Commission on Audit, the Office of the Ombudsman, and even the Commission on Elections,” Lacson said.
“Because these agencies’ primary responsibility is to provide checks and balances, their officials must not be beholden to the powers-that-be.”
He also expressed his support for One Negros Island, a plan launched near the end of late President Noy Aquino’s presidency but was quickly abandoned during the Duterte administration.
“I believe a Negros region will be beneficial for both Occidental and Oriental,” Lacson said. “As with anything, we just need to harmonize everything. Once that is achieved, I am sure we will be stronger together as one Negros.”
Although a popular choice in mock university elections, Lacson and the Tropang Angat slate continue to trail in national polls. Despite this, Lacson still sees a path to victory.
“The tide is turning, “ Lacson said, “The groundswell for VP Leni is palpable everywhere we go. I continue to hope that in the end, the Filipinos will make a principled vote.”