MANILA, Philippines - Former Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson on Tuesday revealed that he is no longer a guest candidate in the senatorial ticket of Sen. Grace Poe and Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero.
Lacson said in an interview with ANC's Headstart that Poe asked for his permission to be removed in her senatorial lineup to make way for former Optical Media Board chair and actor Edu Manzano.
"I think I am no longer in the slate of Senator Poe. It is fine with me. Sabi ko 'fine with me,' privilege naman 'yun to be a guest candidate of any coalition," Lacson said.
He filed his certificate of candidacy as an independent senatorial candidate but he is a guest candidate of the ruling Liberal Party (LP) and the United Nationalist Alliance.
READ: Lacson, Lapid son, other execs complete LP Senate slate | Binay confirms UNA Senate slate
However, Lacson said that he will campaign for LP standard bearer Manuel "Mar" Roxas II as he believes in the administration bet's integrity and advocacy.
Lacson stressed that Roxas is the most qualified among the presidential aspirants in the 2016 national elections.
"Siya lang 'yung walang corruption issue, and I can personally vouch for his integrity. Second, siya lang 'yung walang disqualification case na hinaharap. Third, siya lang 'yung walang health issue," Lacson said.
Poe has multiple disqualification cases while Vice President Jejomar Binay is facing corruption allegations. Although Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago claimed that she has overcome cancer, she refuses to reveal her medical records.
"What's important to me is shared advocacy. Importante sa'kin 'yung naniniwala ako sa kandidato. I will campaign with him, I will campaign for him not because I'm being told to campaign for him, but because I believe in him," the senatorial candidate said.
In 2009, Roxas stood as a witness in the counter-affidavit that Lacson filed before the Department of Justice in connection to the Dacer-Corbito murder case.
RELATED: Roxas backs Lacson's defense in Dacer-Corbito case