Political ads ‘feelers’ of possible 2016 election bid, says Lacson

Former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. INQUIRER PHOTO

Former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Saturday said his present political advertisements are signs of a campaign pitch and a possible election bid in 2016, but kept mum on his definite role in the upcoming presidential polls.

In an interview with Radyo Inquirer, Lacson said his decision on whether or not to seek higher office would depend on the “numbers.”

“If I say that my advertisements are not feelers, then I am being a hypocrite and a liar,” he said. “Everyone is doing premature campaigning. Those who say that they don’t are hypocrites.”

Lacson, however, said he is still undecided on whether or not to run for president or vice president.

“For now, I am looking at two options—either I seek higher position or I go back to the Senate. I haven’t reached the point that I am fully decided already,” he said. “After all, campaign and elections are all about the numbers. That’s what we are looking at—if there is ‘winnability.’”

Lacson, who had led the recovery efforts in the Supertyphoon “Yolanda”-hit areas in Visayas, said he was also asked by President Benigno Aquino III about his political plans even before he resigned as rehabilitation czar.

“This was I think in January. I had really no plans yet,” he said.

Lacson recalled telling the President that his job was “already done” after submitting the comprehensive rehabilitation plan.

“Even a Senate reelection, I am not yet sure of. I already spent 40 years of service there. I have been through a lot. I faced a great lot of black propaganda, so it’s not really in my head,” he said.

But Lacson said Aquino kept on asking about his goals: “The President said it’s difficult to have no exposure. That’s where our conversation centered on.”

The former lawmaker said he told the President then that he wanted to rest and spend more time with his family.

Lacson, who also served as chief of the Philippine National Police, also shared he had a meeting with retired generals of the Philippine Military Academy who came up with a paid advertisement for him.

“They asked me if I am going to run and I told them that it’s not that simple. A lot of preparations have to be made,” he said. “Then they came up with a paid ad and that’s where it started. I told them to show me the numbers.” RC