Senator Panfilo Lacson launched his second presidential bid on Wednesday, saying the Philippines needed leaders who practice what they preach. Senate President Tito Sotto is his running mate.
With large gatherings still banned under the second tightest lockdown, the Lacson-Sotto launch was aired on TV and social media. They are the first to formally launch their candidacies. A few weeks back, President Rodrigo Duterte said he was running for vice president.
"No leader can succeed if he cannot practice what he preaches. Kailangan natin ng leader na ang tama ay ipaglalaban at ang mali ay lalabanan," he said.
"Between me and Sen. Sotto are more than 80 years of honest, dedicated and competent public service. Meron kaming sapat na kakahayan, katapatan, at katapangan upang pamunuan ang ating bansa at upang muling bumangon sa ating pagkakalugmok," he added.
Sotto said he and Lacson decided to run to help restore the people's trust to the government.
"Ako ay humaharap sa inyo para hingin ang inyong tiwala. Tiwala na babangon muli ang bansa, tiwala na magkakaroon muli ng pag-asa ang inyong matibay na paniniwala na sama-sama kaya nating ipanumbalik ang tiwala natin sa ating mahal na bansang Pilipinas," he said.
They were supposed to make their formal announcement on Aug. 4 but it was postponed after the health situation in the country escalated due to the threat of the Delta coronavirus variant.
Sotto earlier 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. So I think what egged us to do this is this: what we hear from the ground and we provide alternatives to the people in 2022," he said.
Lacson earlier joined and was elected as chairman of the revived Partido Reporma, saying that his advocacies were well-aligned with those of the party.
The filing of certificates for candidacy in the 2022 elections is set for Oct. 1 to 8.
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Where is the Philippines Going? Lacson, Sotto Believe They Have the Answer
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