Torres-Gomez looks at concrete platforms over party alliance as she weighs options for 2022

FILE PHOTO: Leyte 4th District Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez during one of the hearings at the House of Representatives. CONTRIBUTED

MANILA, Philippines — The first tandem to announce their plan to seek the top two highest offices in the country in next year’s election, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, already have a drawn-up platform for their administration should they win the 2022 polls.

Leyte 4th District Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez on Wednesday said this was what she found admirable about the Lacson-Sotto tandem.

According to her, “so far, they are the only candidates who are able to present a plan of action on how to move the country forward” in a post-pandemic backdrop.

“This early, they already have an actual plan in terms of moving the country forward. I admire their unapologetic,straight-to-the-point, and confident pronouncements on how they would lead our nation under a new normal setting,” she said.

Torres-Gomez said service has always been her primary consideration when checking out candidates. “When we talk about the 2022 elections, more than thinking of which tandem to vote for, or whether it is better to have a common candidate under one group, we really should be listening to what services anybody is offering to the people. We really have to listen to what they have in mind in terms of service,” she said.

She added: “On the part of SP Tito and Senator Ping, they’ve been very consistent from the start. They have always presented themselves as candidates.They have presented their plan already. Self-checking by asking themselves, Are you going to run? If you’re running, what are your plans? What can you offer to the people?”

Among others, the Lacson-Sotto duo have said they plan to improve the downloading of resources from “Imperial Manila” to other regions of the country, continuation of the anti-drug war but adopting a “holistic approach” where the focus is on prevention and rehabilitation, not on law enforcement; and a balance of power in handling the decade-long issues related to the West Philippine Sea.

Sotto has announced that he has offered the Leyte congresswoman a slot in their senatorial slate.

Torres-Gomez has confirmed talking with Sotto about the 2022 elections.

“I am grateful that Sen. Ping and SP Sotto have invited me to be a part of their slate. I feel honored to be included in their personal choice of senatorial candidates for 2022,” she said.

However, as congresswoman for 11 years, she said she has yet to make up her mind whether to take a shot at running for higher office or return to her home province and seek a local post.

Aside from the Lacson-Sotto pair, the congresswoman has also been offered a slot in the senatorial slate of the administration party PDP-Laban, of which she is a member.