MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Panfilo Lacson is not keen on running for a congressional post in his home province of Cavite after he ends his last term at the Senate in 2013.
“No, I am not. I won’t make good in local politics. I can’t simply compete in the dole-out culture of politics in the local setting. I will surely fail,” Lacson told The STAR in a text message.
Lacson refused to comment further on the possible next steps in his political career or if he would be ready for a Cabinet post, possibly as head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Insinuations that Lacson might run for a congressional seat in Cavite came after President Aquino signed into law Republic Act Nos. 10160 and 10161, which converted Bacoor and Imus towns into cities. Both laws were co-authored by Lacson in the 15th Congress. Bacoor and Imus are the fifth and sixth cities in the province after Cavite City, the province’s former capital; Trece Martires City, the site of the capitol; prime tourist destination Tagaytay City and Dasmariñas City, the province’s most populated area.
Bacoor is the so-called Cavite’s gateway to and from southern Metro Manila, while Imus is the current capital of the province.
The two first class municipalities became lone districts only in December 2010 with Congress and Malacañang’s approval.
The conversion of Imus and Bacoor into cities would enhance the capability of their respective local government units (LGUs) to deliver needed services to a growing population and become more effective partners of the national government in promoting economic growth.