Lacson Says It's Presidency or Retirement for Him in 2022

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said on Tuesday he would either run for president in the 2022 elections or retire from politics altogether.

The former national police chief and 2004 presidential candidate said he would not seek reelection in the Senate and was in the process of consultations on his plans for next year's vote.

"It's between gunning for the presidency or retirement ang iniisip ko," he said in a virtual interview with reporters.

"Yung pagbalik ko sa Senado, kasi nakatatlong terms na rin ako, I would say I've done my part pagdating doon," he added.

Lacson is still eligible for one more term in the Senate as he is just on his first ongoing term in the chamber. He previously served as senator from 2001 to 2013.

He added that running for vice president may not be fit for him, saying that he would perform better as president given his experience as a law enforcer during his term as chief of the Philippine National Police.

"Mas magiging effective ako kung ako mismo yung nag-eexecute ng mga batas kasi law enforcement ang pinanggalingan ko," he said.

If ever he decides to vie for the presidency next year, Lacson said he would definitely run with Senate President Vicente Sotto III as his vice president.

"Cast in stone yun. In case na mag-decide [ako], walang iba [na vice president] kundi si Senate President. Usapan na namin yun," he said.

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Sotto earlier said that he was considering running for vice president next year and would also support Lacson should the latter vie for the presidency.

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.