Struggling to keep up in pre-election surveys, presidential candidate Panfilo Lacson on Sunday urged the public not to waste their votes on "thieves" and unqualified officials running for office.
The 73-year-old senator wrapped up his performance in the second round of the Comelec presidential debates by showing the public how important their votes are in the May 9 elections.
"Palagi naming naririnig – sayang daw ang boto sa mas kwalipikado dahil baka hindi lang manalo. Ang totoong sayang na boto ay para sa hindi karapat-dapat manalo at sa mga magnanakaw na dapat walang karapatang maluklok sa pwesto," he said, without mentioning any name.
"Maawa na po tayo sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino," he added.
Lacson's "slim of chance of winning" based on pre-election surveys, among other factors, prompted leaders of his former party Partido Reporma to drop support for him and endorse Vice President Leni Robredo instead, whom they said is gaining "significant traction."
Lacson quit his party upon learning their support for Robredo and chose to continue his campaign as an independent candidate. Lacson is running with vice presidential candidate Vicente "Tito" Sotto III.
"With the rigors and influence of money politics in this campaign, and the opportunism and treachery that go with it, I keep asking this question: Is the Filipino still worth fighting for? Each time, I always get the same answer: Yes, the Filipino is worth fighting for," he said.
"Mahal ko ang aking bayan. Handa kong ipagtanggol laban sa mga dayuhang mananakop at sa mga may kapangyarihan na nagsasamantala sa mga kapos-palad nating mga kababayan," he added.
LACSON:
What's Next for Ping Lacson After Own Party Endorses Leni Robredo?
‘We Have a Leader’: Lacson Mulls Changing Campaign Slogan After Quitting Own Party
Lacson Rejects Toxic Politics in Presidential Campaign
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