After rehab czar stint, Lacson mulls 2016 bid

Secretary Panfilo Lacson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines―After Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo “Ping” Lacson steps down from his post effective February 10, the former senator said on Monday that he is thinking of pursuing a national position in the 2016 presidential elections.

Speaking to members of the press during the “Kapihan sa Diamond Hotel” event, Lacson said that he will reveal his decision two months before the filing of candidacy for 2016 elections in October.

“Somewhere along the way, at a certain point, the road forks. And when I see the fork in the road, that is the time that one will have to discern, one will have to assess and will come to a point where you’ll seek guidance. The passion to fight graft and corruption remains,” Lacson said.

When pressed on what position he is considering, the former senator remained mum.

He emphasized two factors which he will consider if he pursues his 2016 plans: intention and acceptability. But with regard to intention, the outgoing PARR exec said that his passion to enforce discipline in the government remains.

“If you will ask me if the passion to enforce discipline in the bureaucracy and the government, it is there. The passion to fight graft and corruption and implement peace and order remains,” Lacson said.

The former senator said that he will not consider running for a local post, saying that he is not willing to compromise in order to fulfill his duties.

“I’m not into local politics. First, local politics is hard because you have to compromise. You will be forced to do things in order to fulfill your duties. At least if you are in a national position, like being a senator, you won’t have to compromise and you are able to do what you are expected to do,” Lacson said in Filipino.

Meanwhile, Lacson said that with the death of the 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), there is a need to assess the “weaknesses” in the current leadership.

Lacson was appointed in December 2013 to promulgate plans in the rehabilitation and recovery of areas hit by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan). The OPARR was able to produce a comprehensive “Yolanda” recovery master plan and was approved by President Benigno Aquino III last October 2014.

He filed his irrevocable resignation from his post last December 2014 after stating his desire for a government agency to do the job permanently.

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