Lacson declines to be among 1Sambayan’s potential presidential candidates
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 7:49 p.m.) — Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has rejected the nomination of 1Sambayan to become its potential presidential candidate in next year’s elections over disagreements with many of the opposition coalition’s convenors on the highly-contested Anti-Terrorism Act which he shepherded in the Senate.
“As any self-respecting public servant would do, it is in my humble position to take it upon myself to graciously decline your invitation in honor of my personal and political convictions that I have consistently and unwaveringly adhered to,” Lacson said in his June 8 letter to retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio.
Lacson also declined an invitation by 1Sambayan to be one of the reactors to a town hall meeting on national security and foreign policy.
The senator pointed out that Carpio made it clear in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel that it would be “inconsistent” and “incongruent” for 1Sambayan to endorse him as he was the principal sponsor of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Many of 1Sambayan’s convenors, including Carpio, are petitioners against the Anti-Terrorism Act, which is feared to be used to silence legitimate criticism against the government.
“It is my submission that my participation will be construed as a lack of propriety on my end in light of your prior pronouncements suggesting that my representation will be a ‘stumbling block’ on your political endorsements,” Lacson said in his letter.
Lacson is mulling whether to retire from politics or run for president again in 2022, with Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III as his vice president.
The former top cop ran for president in 2004 but trailed behind former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the late actor Fernando Poe Jr.
1Sambayan convenor Howard Calleja, meanwhile, said the coalition remains open to discuss things with Lacson as they believe in unifying the opposition.
"We want to unite those who are against dictatorship, authoritarianism, extrajudicial killings, suppression of human rights, and subservience to foreign interests which are the hallmarks of the Duterte administration," Calleja said in a statement. — Xave Gregorio
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