Lacson on Presidential Run: We Have the Pandemic to Deal With First

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Monday now would not be the best time to announce it as the country still has pandemic-related problems to deal with.

Lacson said he was still in the process of consulting with various sectors about running for president next year. He earlier said that he would only either vie for the presidency or retire from politics altogether.

"Even if we have arrived at the decision, I don't think this is the appropriate time to make an announcement, considering the pandemic and all the other problems related to the pandemic," he told ANC in an interview.

Lacson also said he would still consider first how he could help solve the country's problems before deciding to run for president.

"If we feel that we are not up to it, why even try to run or file our certificates of candidacy? We are in that process right now," he added.

Lacson earlier told aspiring candidates for president to prepare not just for the candidacy, but also solutions to address the country's problems. The country's next leader is set to face "overwhelming" problems including a ballooning national debt, unemployment, and corruption, he added.

He also said that if ever he decides to vie for the presidency, he would definitely run with Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

Lacson also ran for president in the 2004 elections but placed third overall, behind former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the late actor Fernando Poe Jr.

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