Lacson accepts Atienza’s apology for asking senator to quit presidential bid

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo Lacson has accepted the apology of vice presidential bet Lito Atienza, who earlier asked him to withdraw from the presidential race.

“In all humility, apology accepted,” Lacson said in a tweet Friday.

Asked if Atienza has personally reached out to him to apologize, the senator told INQUIRER.net: “Not personally but it doesn’t matter anymore how the offer was made.”

READ: Atienza apologizes to Lacson after call to drop presidential bid

Last week, Atienza expressed hopes that Lacson would do the “self-sacrificing act” of withdrawing his bid for the presidency so that his running mate, vice presidential bet Senate President Vicente Sotto III, can possibly form a tandem with another presidential candidate, Senator Manny Pacquiao.

The congressman made the remark after he told reporters he is “very seriously” considering dropping out of the vice presidential contest. Atienza is Pacquiao’s running mate.

Lacson strongly rejected Atienza’s suggestion, insisting he will not yield his candidacy.

“I’ll finish this race and I’m not backing out. I would suggest that Lito Atienza should go back to school and study GMRC (Good Manners and Right Conduct), which law I authored,” Lacson had said.

In response, Atienza advised the senator to “learn some manners, too.”