If Elected President, Lacson Says You are Free to Check His Bank Accounts

Senator Panfilo Lacson said Thursday that if elected president, he would in effect allow the public to scrutinize his bank accounts to set the tone for good governance.

Lacson, who is running wth Senate President Tito Sotto as vice president, said he would encourage everyone in government to follow his lead in waiving their rights under the bank secrecy law.

"Kapag ang presidente sa unang araw pa lamang mag-sign na ng waiver of his rights under the Bank Secrecy Act, magandang tone na yun na ise-set ng isang namumuno na talagang patungo tayo sa good governance," Lacson told reporters.

A former national police chief who built a reputation for exposing graft since he was elected to the Senate in 2001, Lacson is running for the president for the second time after placing third in the 2004 race that was won by former President Gloria Arroyo.

Lacson said he would also push for a more efficient lifeline for health and economic sectors, and lay the foundation for a clean government in his first 100 days in office.

Sotto said his first act as vice president would be to offer his formula to address the problem of illegal drugs in the country, one that is focused on prevention and rehabilitation.

"Susundan ko na rin ng submission ng aking waiver. Kasi kung ang presidente ko magw-waiver sa bank secrecy, napakapangit naman na hindi ako sumunod," he added.

Lacson and Sotto, who was the first tandem to be confirmed for the 2022 elections, said what prompted them to push through with their candidacy was their desire to answer the question: "Where are we going?"

"We could provide a good alternative. We're not pro-opposition, we're not pro-administration, we're pro-Filipino," Sotto earlier said.

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