Lacson-Sotto won’t abandon each other amid pairing rumors

ROMBLON, Philippines — Presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo Lacson and running mate Senate President Vicente Sotto III won’t abandon each other amid rumors of new pairings and realignments a month away from the May elections.

Lacson said he and Sotto made a pact when they filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) last year to finish the elections and to stick together as a tandem, banking on their combined 80 years in public service and campaigning their reform-oriented platform.

“We’ve carved that (tandem) in stone. That’s the assurance. As early as July, or before October when we finally decided to launch and then file our COCs, that’s it, that can’t be changed,” Lacson told reporters in Filipino when asked about the latest developments, including Sotto being carried by rival political parties.

“Of course, there endorsements here and there and I’m happy for the Senate President that he gets endorsements left and right. That’s good because his victory is my victory too. Whether I make it or not, if he makes it then I’ll be very happy for him,” he said. “That’s a tandem, unlike others who abandon their running mates, we support each other.”

Sotto is the vice presidential candidate of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, which he chairs. He was also endorsed by other political groups from Cebu and Metro Manila.

Some groups in the Visayas and Mindanao have endorsed the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo paired with either the vice presidential bids of Sotto or Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza, the running mate of presidential candidate Sen. Manny Pacquiao, earlier announced he was seriously considering withdrawing from the race and would prefer to be replaced by Sotto.

Lacson said he believes there remains a “silent majority” among Filipino voters who are not reflected in surveys but root for him. “I’d like to think that (silent majority) because of the feedback…from the ground that that’s the sentiment,” he said.

The urgent challenge, he said, is correcting the usual comment from people that “we like him, he’s the most qualified, but our votes might be wasted. So we’re addressing that.”

“As I’ve said, your vote will be wasted if it goes to the undeserving,” Lacson said.

Sotto said he and Lacson want to be the country’s top officials so they can properly implement the laws they have passed. “We feel that not all of the laws we passed are being implemented or enforced properly,” he said during a town hall meeting here.

From Romblon, the tandem proceeded to Bohol yesterday. They are expected to be in Cebu today.

In Bohol, Lacson disclosed that it was Jagna Mayor Joseph Rañola who ignited his drive to scrutinize the national budget. At the start of a meeting with representatives of sectoral groups in Jagna, Lacson thanked Rañola for teaching him everything about analyzing the budget.

“There’s one person who taught me everything. Filipinos owe it to him that there is a Senator Lacson who pores through the national budget,” he said.