MANILA, Philippines (Updated 2:56 p.m.) — Former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is seeking a return to the Senate after filing his certificate of candidacy on Wednesday, October 2.
Lacson is running under the administration slate of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.— whom he ran against in the 2022 presidential elections.
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Despite this, Marcos spoke highly of Lacson during the "Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas" Convention at the Philippine International Convention Center on September 26.
“Ito naman ay isang officer and a gentleman na tapat at buong tapang na naglingkod ng lampas limang dekada sa taumbayan. Anuman ang kanyang sasabihin at gagawin, ito ay laging nakaangkla sa motto ng kanyang alma mater – Courage. Integrity. Loyalty,” Marcos said.
(Here is an officer and a gentleman that has been honest and bravely served the public for the past fifty years. No matter what he says or does, it is anchored in the motor of his alma mater – Courage. Integrity. Loyalty.)
During the COC filing, Lacson said that while he did enjoy his time during retirement, he opted for the hard work and discomfort that came with public service. It was Sotto that convinced him that they should run for a senate seat again.
"Should I be given again the mandate of a term in the Senate, I do not have to reinvent myself. I pledge to not continue not availing of the pork barrel in any shade or form. I will continue being a vanguard of the annual national budget to the best of my ability," Lacson said.
Lacson, a former chair of the Senate Accounts Committee, said that he vowed to thoroughly go through the budget. Responding to the Philhealth's transfer of idle funds amounting to P89.9 billion back to the country's coffers, Lacson said that he will resist such moves if elected.
“Courage. Integrity. Loyalty” is the motto of the Philippine Military Academy, where Lacson graduated. Lacson was the former chief of the Philippine National Police from 1991 to 2001.
Lacson has had two consecutive Senate terms and one non-consecutive term in 2016. He ran for president twice, first in 2004 and then in 2022.
Some notable measures Lacson has filed include the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, the National ID Law, Anti-Hazing Law of 2018 and more.