MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said on Friday that he will run as an independent senatorial candidate for the 2025 elections following his inclusion in the administration’s slate.
Lacson also said that he is not running as a member of any political party.
“I am running as an independent candidate, not being a member of a political party,” Lacson said in a statement.
However, the former senator added that he is a guest candidate of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). Lacson further expressed that he is “proud to be part of a grand alliance of our country’s 5 major political parties.”
Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas is a coalition of five political parties consisting of Lakas-CMD, NPC, the Nacionalista Party, the National Unity Party, and the administration’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday revealed the 12 senatorial bets he was endorsing, which included Lacson. Lacson was also present at the announcement made at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
READ: Marcos bares 12 admin senatorial bets for 2025 polls
“I have no doubt in my mind that should I win next year, President Marcos fully recognizes my consistent role as a fiscalizer guided only by our shared motto: Ang tama ay ipaglaban; ang mali ay labanan,” he said.
Lacson ran as an independent presidential candidate in the 2022 national and local elections after resigning from his post as a chairman and member of Partido ng Demokratikong Reporma.
READ: Ping Lacson: ‘Im going home, time to serve my family for a change’
His then-vice presidential running mate, former senate president Vicente Sotto III from the NPC, is also one of the administration’s senatorial bets for the 2025 elections.
The senatorial bets under the administration slate are:
- Senator Imee Marcos (reelectionist)
- Interior Sec. Benhur Abalos Jr.
- Makati Mayor Abby Binay
- Senator Pia Cayetano (reelectionist)
- Senator Lito Lapid (reelectionist)
- ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo
- Senator Francis Tolentino (reelectionist)
- Former Senator Manny Pacquiao
- Former Senate President Tito Sotto
- Senator Bong Revilla (reelectionist)
- Former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson
- Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar