Lacson: I am an independent senatorial candidate

MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Panfilo Lacson on Friday said he is an independent candidate despite being in the administration senatorial slate of President Marcos.

Lacson said he was included in the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas administration coalition because he was a guest candidate of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

The administration coalition comprises candidates fielded by Marcos’ Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), NPC, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats and Nacionalista Party.

“I am running as an independent candidate, not being a member of a political party. I am a guest candidate of the NPC, which is part of an alliance of five major political parties that includes the administration’s PFP,” Lacson said.

But Lacson clarified that he is proud to be part of the administration coalition for the midterm elections, as he seeks to make a Senate comeback after his failed presidential bid in 2022.

“Make no mistake – I am proud to be part of a grand alliance of our country’s five major political parties," he said.