Departure from Partido Reporma not due to survey rank: Lacson

MANILA – Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Friday dismissed claims that it was his low rankings in poll surveys that prompted Partido Reporma president Davao Del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez to switch sides but his inability to provide funds for the party’s local candidates.

“If pre-election surveys were his primary reason for switching his support, I don’t believe it because like me, Mayor Isko (Domagoso) and Sen. (Manny) Pacquiao, his newly chosen candidate is also lagging far behind the survey leader,” Lacson said in a message to reporters.

Last Thursday, Alvarez on Thursday endorsed the presidential candidacy of Vice President Leni Robredo in the upcoming May 9 elections.

Alvarez made the statement after Lacson officially resigned as chairperson and member of the Partido Reporma and will now run as an independent candidate.

Alvarez said while Lacson is the “most qualified to be president”, he said there are two frontrunners in the presidential race, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Robredo.

“Time to call a spade a spade. It was actually more about the issue of campaign expenses for their local candidates. His chief-of-staff was asking for PHP800 million pesos in additional funding which I honestly told him I cannot produce,” Lacson said.

He, however, reiterated that he has no hard feelings toward Alvarez over the issue.

“It is better that he (better) stop talking about this but if he insists on explaining his action, I’ll be prompted to respond to correct his statements,” Lacson said.

Sticking with Lacson

Meanwhile, Partido Reporma chairman emeritus and founder Renato De Villa admitted to being taken by surprise by Thursday’s events but said he will stick with Lacson.

“For my part as Chairman Emeritus of the new Partido Reporma, I must admit that I was taken by surprise (at) the events yesterday as I had no inkling that such an unfortunate scenario would happen to our new party. Obviously, I cannot do anything about it anymore as I consider both Ping and Bebot (Alvarez) as mature politicians and capable of making decisions based on personal conviction,” he added in a statement.

De Villa also said his position is to vote for the presidential candidate of your choice, and consider it the contribution to the establishment of an honest and competent government that can bring about a better future for the country.

“As an original endorser of Sen. Ping Lacson for President, let me further say: I will stick with Ping and continue to endorse and support him. Like a true soldier in combat, I hope that those fighting for him in this political battle will continue the fight and not leave him behind,” he added.