Panfilo Lacson 2022 presidential campaign
Campaigned for2022 Philippine presidential election
CandidatePanfilo Lacson
Senator of the Philippines
(2001–2013; 2016–2022)
Presidential Assistant on Rehabilitation and Recovery
(2013–2015)
Chief of the Philippine National Police
(1999–2001)
Tito Sotto
Senator of the Philippines
(1992–2004; 2010–2022)
President of the Senate of the Philippines
(2018–2022)
Vice Mayor of Quezon City
(1988–1992)
AffiliationNPC
UNA
Partido Reporma (de jure[a][1])
StatusOfficial launch: September 8, 2021
Lost election: May 9, 2022
Conceded: May 10, 2022
SloganKatapangan, Kakayahan at Katapatan
transl. (Courage, Competence and Honesty)
Aayusin ang Gobyerno, Aayusin ang Buhay Mo
transl. ([We'll] Fix the Government, Fix your Life)

The 2022 presidential campaign of Panfilo Lacson was announced in a televised launch on September 8, 2021, along with his running mate Tito Sotto. Panfilo Lacson is a three-term senator of the Philippines and former chief of the Philippine National Police, while Sotto is a four-term senator currently serving as the senate president of the Philippines since 2018.

Lacson and Sotto were the first tandem to announce their candidacy for president and vice president, respectively, for the 2022 Philippine presidential election.[2]

Background

Main article: Panfilo Lacson

See also: Presidency of Joseph Estrada, 2004 Philippine presidential election, and Presidency of Benigno Aquino III
Panfilo Lacson

Panfilo Lacson, more commonly known as Ping Lacson, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy first served in the Philippine Constabulary, holding numerous positions throughout his entire career. During the administration of President Joseph Estrada, he was appointed as head of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force and eventually as PNP Chief. During the Second EDSA Revolution, Lacson along with several PNP officers withdrew their support to President Estrada and eventually resigned from his post.

Lacson then ran and won for a Senate seat in 2001 and was reelected in 2007. Lacson earned the reputation of being the only Philippine Senator who didn't receive any Priority Development Assistance Fund or Pork Barrel during his term in the Senate. He also ran for the presidency in 2004, but lost to then-incumbent Gloria Macapagal Arroyo placing third in the presidential race.

After he finished his term in the Senate, Lacson was appointed by then-President Benigno Aquino III as Presidential Assistant on Rehabilitation and Recovery which is tasked for the rehabilitation of areas that were destructed by the Typhoon Yolanda.

Running mate

Main article: Tito Sotto

Vicente Sotto III, who is known in the entertainment industry as Tito Sotto is a known composer, comedian and TV host, being one of the most famous trio Tito, Vic and Joey or TVJ along with his younger brother Vic Sotto and Joey De Leon. He is also known as one of the original hosts of the longest-running noontime show Eat Bulaga!.

He started his political career in 1988 when he won as Vice Mayor of Quezon City. In 1992, Sotto ran for a Senate seat and placed as the topnotcher in the polls. He was then reelected in 1998. In 2007, he failed to reclaim his seat in the Senate and was appointed as Chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board a year after.

In 2010, Sotto reclaimed his post in the Senate. During his first term, he held the position of Senate Majority Floor Leader. In 2016, Sotto was once again reelected and took the position of Senate President in 2018 up to the present.

Sotto stated that he is running for the position of Vice President, if his colleague Panfilo Lacson will run for president.[3] President Rodrigo Duterte in his sixth and final State of the Nation Address also called Sotto as the next vice president.

Campaign

Lacson (right) and his running mate Sotto (left) filing their certificates of candidacy on October 6, 2021
Lacson, Sotto, and their senatorial slate during a campaign rally on February 9, 2022.

By June 2021, Lacson and Sotto visited some provinces in Luzon for a series of consultative meetings.

On July 20, 2021, Lacson confirmed that he was running for president with Tito Sotto as his running mate for vice president.[4] Both Lacson and Sotto reiterated that they are not "pro or anti-administration" but are alternative candidates.[5]

On September 8, 2021, Lacson and Sotto officially launched their presidential and vice-presidential bid in a televised event entitled Ito ang Simula (lit. transl. This is the Beginning) which was attended by mostly family and friends of both candidates. The 30-minute event, which was aired on almost all television stations and through the internet, was taped in an undisclosed location with a mixture of both live (composed only of friends of both Lacson and Sotto) and virtual audience.[citation needed] According to them, their combined 83 years of public service (50 years for Lacson, 33 years for Sotto) are their main qualifications.

The tandem officially launched their proclamation rally at the City of Imus Grandstand and Track Oval, at the official start of the 2022 Philippine presidential election campaign period on February 8, 2022.[6]

On March 24, Lacson resigned as chairperson and member of Partido Reporma a few hours before the party's leaders endorsed the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo.[7] Reporma's president, Representative Pantaleon Alvarez, praised Lacson's experience in government and called him the "most qualified" to be the next president of the Philippines. However, Lacson's poor performance in pre-election opinion polls forced the party to consider another candidate.[8] Lacson announced that he "harbor[s] no ill-feelings" towards his former party, and would continue his presidential bid as an independent candidate.[9] However, on official ballots, Reporma will still be indicated as his affiliation based on the certificate of candidacy he filed in October 2021.[10] On the following day, Lacson claimed that Reporma's withdrawal of support "was actually more about the issue of campaign expenses." Lacson disclosed that Alvarez's chief of staff requested him for ₱800 million to fund the party's campaign, an amount he was unable to produce. Alvarez denied Lacson's accusation, asserting that the party "can very well fund its own candidates," but admitted that the issue of funding was a major consideration in their change of support. Robredo's team also denied giving ₱800 million to Reporma in exchange for their support. Meanwhile, Partido Reporma founder and chairman emeritus Renato de Villa would continue to support Lacson.[11][12]

Lacson's campaign was also hampered by his poor standings in the pre-election surveys.[13]

Senatorial slate

Lacson and Sotto also bared their list of their senatorial candidates for the 2022 Philippine Senate election. Among those include:[14]

One of their senatorial candidates, media practitioner Paolo Capino, withdrew his candidacy. He was substituted by former Philippine National Police chief Guillermo Eleazar, who had just retired from his post. Former mayor of Quezon City Herbert Bautista of NPC and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian were also part of Lacson's slate but were later removed after joining the UniTeam Alliance.[19][20] After Lacson's resignation from Reporma, Monsour del Rosario announced his support for Leni Robredo's presidential campaign.[21] On April 4, reelectionist senator Juan Miguel Zubiri was dropped from the slate after openly endorsing the campaign of Bongbong Marcos.[22]

Endorsements

Panfilo Lacson
National-level cabinet and executive officials
  • Honorio Azcueta, Former Undersecretary of Defense[23]
  • Kim Henares, Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (2010–2016)[23]
  • Orlando Mercado, Secretary of National Defense (1998–2001)[23]
  • Eliseo Rio, Secretary of Information and Communications Technology (2017–2019)[23]
Military officials
Philippine Congress
Provincial and local officials
Entertainment personalities
Tito Sotto
Military officials
Philippine Congress
Provincial and local officials
Entertainment personalities
Organizations
Others
  • Rizalito David, rival vice presidential candidate[39]

Notes

  1. ^ Partido Reporma previously nominated Lacson as its presidential candidate until March 24, 2022, when it endorses Leni Robredo as its guest presidential nominee. While Lacson will now run as independent candidate, Reporma continues to endorse his running mate Tito Sotto as vice-presidential nominee, and will still reflected as Lacson's party on official ballots.

References

  1. ^ a b c Llanesca, Panti (March 24, 2022). "Partido Reporma switches support to Robredo in 2022 prexy race". GMA News. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  2. ^ "Philippine senator first to declare 2022 run for presidency". Reuters. September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  3. ^ "Sotto to 'definitely' run for VP if Lacson seeks presidency". Rappler. June 7, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  4. ^ "Lacson, Sotto tandem to run in Eleksyon 2022, Ping confirms". GMA News. July 20, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  5. ^ Talabong, Rambo (July 22, 2021). "Lacson-Sotto want to be your 'alternative' candidates for 2022". Rappler. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  6. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam (February 8, 2022). "Lacson-Sotto tandem to kick off poll campaign in Cavite". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  7. ^ Tan, Lara (March 24, 2022). "Lacson leaves Partido Reporma as party leaders back Robredo's bid". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  8. ^ Cepeda, Mara (March 24, 2022). "After dropping Lacson, ex-Duterte ally Alvarez endorses Robredo". Rappler. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  9. ^ Ramos, Christia Marie (March 24, 2022). "Lacson: 'No ill-feelings' towards Alvarez, other Reporma officials for shifting to another bet". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  10. ^ "Comelec says Lacson not running as 'independent' despite quitting Partido Reporma". CNN Philippines. March 24, 2022. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  11. ^ Yap, DJ; Aurelio, Julie M.; Ramos, Marlon (March 26, 2022). "Lacson: Party decision to drop me all about money". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  12. ^ Yang, Angelica Y. (March 25, 2022). "Alvarez denies asking for P800 million from Lacson". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  13. ^ Ager, Maila (March 28, 2022). "Lacson eyeing new slogan: 'We have a leader'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  14. ^ Ager, Maila (October 15, 2021). "14 'preferred' senatorial bets under Lacson-Sotto slate named". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  15. ^ "Senator, ex-mayor removed from slate of Lacson and Sotto". Business World. February 10, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  16. ^ "Lacson, Sotto drop Herbert Bautista from Senate slate". GMA News. February 9, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  17. ^ "Gatchalian dropped by Lacson-Sotto after endorsing Marcos-Duterte". Rappler. February 10, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  18. ^ "Lacson-Sotto tandem no longer endorsing Senate reelectionist Zubiri". Inquirer.net. April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  19. ^ Bordey, Hana. "Lacson, Sotto drop Herbert Bautista from Senate slate". GMA News Online. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  20. ^ Ramos, Christia Marie. "Sotto's partymate Gatchalian dropped from Lacson-Sotto senatorial slate". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  21. ^ Talabong, Rambo (March 28, 2022). "After Reporma split, 3 of 4 Senate bets stay loyal to Lacson". Rappler. Archived from the original on March 28, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  22. ^ "Zubiri dropped from Lacson-Sotto Senate slate after endorsing Marcos". The Philippine Star. April 4, 2022. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  23. ^ a b c d e "Generals, ex-gov't officials bare manifesto of support for Lacson, say other bets incapable of leading PH are the ones who should back out". Manila Bulletin. April 1, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  24. ^ a b Casayuran, Mario (March 25, 2022). "Partido Reporma founder Renato de Villa backs Lacson's prexy bid". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  25. ^ a b c d Cahiles, Gerg (February 11, 2022). "Lacson claims Davao del Norte as their Mindanao bailiwick". CNN Philippines. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  26. ^ a b See, Dexter (October 7, 2021). "Baguio mayor endorses Lacson". Manila Times. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  27. ^ a b Ramos-Araneta, Macon (November 5, 2021). "Imus leaders back native son Ping for prez". Manila Standard. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  28. ^ a b "Bohol town mayor endorses 'idol' Lacson, Sotto". Inquirer.net. April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Requintina, Robert (February 12, 2022). "Dabarkads endorse Ping Lacson, Tito Sotto". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  30. ^ a b Requintina, Robert (September 12, 2021). "Joey De Leon reacts to Ping Lacson-Tito Sotto tandem". Manila Bulletin (in English and Filipino). Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  31. ^ a b "'Men of integrity': Pauleen Luna todo ang suporta sa Lacson-Sotto tandem". NewsKo (in Filipino). February 12, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  32. ^ Jordan, Angelic (November 3, 2021). "QC Mayor Belmonte backs Sotto for VP in 2022 polls". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  33. ^ Llanesca, Panti (March 24, 2022). "Partido Reporma switches support to Robredo in 2022 prexy race". GMA News. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  34. ^ Masculino, Grazyl (March 16, 2022). "Negros Occidental governor declares support for Sotto's vice presidential bid". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  35. ^ Cahiles, Gerg (March 8, 2022). "QC leaders endorse Sotto's VP bid, QC to remain 'zona libre' for presidential candidates for now". CNN Philippines. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  36. ^ a b Marie Pauleen Luna-Sotto [@pauleenlunasotto] (May 7, 2022). "Thank you Maj for showing your support for Tito Sen last night! Your effort is greatly appreciated! Mahal ka namin! @maja 💚 Special shoutout also to @ilovekaye!!! Thank you for your support mars!!! We are grateful for you! We love you! #TitoSottoForVP". Retrieved May 8, 2022 – via Instagram.
  37. ^ "Tito Sotto grateful for BO-PK's endorsement". CDN Digital. December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  38. ^ Jordan, Angelic B., Mendoza, John Eric (March 8, 2022). "Belmonte's local party endorses Sotto's VP bid". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 18, 2022.((cite web)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  39. ^ "VP bet Rizalito David explains why he is endorsing Sotto's vice presidential bid". Manila Bulletin. April 27, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
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