Lacson to file certificate of candidacy on Dec. 15

Opposition Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson will definitely file his certificate of candidacy on Dec. 15 to show that he is serious in his quest for the presidency, his campaign manager, San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, said yesterday.

"Senator Lacson intends to file his certificate of candidacy on Dec. 15. This will erase all doubts in his presidential bid which has been steadily gaining momentum since it was launched a few months ago," he said.

Dec. 15 is the first day for the filing of candidacy certificates.

Zamora, who is vice president of the Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), said he believes his candidate will be the opposition standard-bearer and all opposition groups will rally behind him.

"In our view, other presidential hopefuls who want to join the opposition like movie actor Fernando Poe Jr. will realize that maybe, it’s a little too late to enter the race," he said.

Lacson, who belongs to the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), the biggest opposition party, has expressed his readiness to slug it out with Poe, if he decides to join the presidential race, in a fair and credible nomination process.

He however expressed confidence that his party mates and other opposition leaders would choose him as their standard-bearer.

But in case Poe wins the nomination, he said he would support him.

"I’m not obsessed with the presidency. If I lose the nomination, I will continue my term as senator until it expires in 2007," he said.

Lacson gained more supporters when he visited several Northern Luzon provinces over the weekend.

Political leaders from Benguet, Abra, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Apayao led by Mt. Province Gov. Sario Malinias vowed to campaign for him.

Besides, Malinias, who is regional PMP chairman, others who expressed their support for Lacson included former Benguet governor Andres Bugnosen, Ifugao Vice Gov. Bella Takinan, Loida Molina, PMP chairperson for Abra; Farnaw Claver, PMP chairperson for Kalinga; and lawyer Edgar Avila, PMP chairman for Baguio City.

In Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Lacson was cheered by about 5,000 supporters when he attended the oath-taking of members of the Peace and Progress Movement-Sagip Pinoy headed by former board member Efren Rafanan and lawyer Gerry Singson.

The opposition senator was accompanied in his Northern Luzon visit by House Minority Leader Carlos Padilla, Makati Rep. Agapito Aquino and Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos.

Padilla heads the LDP block in the House of Representatives, while Aquino is LDP secretary general. Most LDP congressmen are for Lacson.

In another development, Lacson said movie actress and TV game show host Kris Aquino has not made any commitment yet to support his presidential bid next year. He said what he and Aquino talked about during their meeting at a Makati hotel was the possibility that she might endorse his candidacy "for a fee." — With Jose Rodel Clapano