Secretary Panfilo Lacson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson could be a “dark horse” if he decides to join the presidential race in 2016, acting Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said on Wednesday.
“Dark horse. Kung baga sa karerahan…mapapalingon ka. Basta dark horse talaga,” Sotto said of Lacson in an interview with reporters.
The senator said Lacson would be a strong contender in 2016 elections since he possesses the qualities that are lacking in other candidates. The former senator earlier said that he is open to run for president.
READ: Lacson says he is open to run for president
“He’s a decision-maker, he has no baggage. He is determined, he fights graft and corruption,” Sotto said in mixed English and Filipino.
But Sotto said Lacson might not run if Senator Grace Poe will join the presidential race. Poe has not decided yet whether or not to run for a higher post in 2016.
Told about Sotto’s prediction, Lacson said in jest he would run for president.
“Kung magiging dark horse pala ako, malamang na tumakbo na ako for president, as long as pareho kami ni Senator Sotto ng concept of what a dark horse is,” the former senator said in a text message to reporters.
“Seriously, I appreciate those statements from Senator Sotto. Aside from being a former colleague in the Senate, I will take his views into account when I will make a decision to run for president,” Lacson added. AC