MANILA, Philippines — Independent presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has been assured of continued support from members of his former political party in Aklan and Antique provinces.
Lacson said members of Partido Reporma in the two provinces also promised to back up as well his running mate, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
The Reporma members requested for a meeting with Lacson after a town hall session in Kalibo, Aklan late Tuesday. On Wednesday, Lacson met with Reporma members in Caluya in Antique.
“One reason why we visited Aklan and Caluya Island is that there are candidates of Reporma there who requested if I can visit them,” Lacson said in Tagalog while campaigning in Estancia, Iloilo on Tuesday.
“They continue to support me. They told me they joined Reporma because of me,” he added.
With such a show of support, Lacson said he and Sotto are further emboldened to continue with their campaign until the end.
“No retreat. No surrender. No withdrawal!” he said.
In late March, Lacson left Reporma after its president, ex-Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, decided to shift support to Vice President Leni Robredo.
But many Reporma members at the time bolted the party to stick with Lacson. Many of them banded themselves as the Lacson-Sotto Support Group (LSSG).
On Tuesday, Lacson campaigned in Estancia, Iloilo and Kalibo, Aklan, while Sotto was in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental. The tandem campaigned in Antique and Iloilo on Wednesday.
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