Partido Reporma standard-bearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III are scheduled to face thousands of their supporters Tuesday afternoon for their highly anticipated proclamation rally at the Imus Grandstand in Imus City, Cavite.
Lacson and Sotto are running for president and vice president respectively in the May 9 elections.
Cavite is the second vote-rich province in the Philippines with over 2.15 million registered voters and is considered a bailiwick of Lacson, who was born and raised in Imus City.
Both he and Sotto were widely successful in securing support from the Caviteños during their previous senatorial runs.
Before taking the Imus Grandstand stage to deliver their political speeches, Lacson and Sotto are set to attend a mass at the Imus Cathedral. Both lawmakers have recently wrapped up their Senate duties upon the adjournment of the third regular session of 18th Congress for the election period.
Also expected to appear at the Lacson-Sotto proclamation rally are the members of their senatorial slate, including Partido Reporma stalwarts retired police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, public health advocate Dr. Minguita Padilla, and former Makati Rep. Monsour del Rosario.
Around 4,000 Lacson-Sotto supporters and political allies will be present at the gathering, including some of the local government officials of Cavite and nearby provinces, who have already declared unequivocal support for the tandem.
Public health and safety protocols will be implemented at the venue such as social distancing, mask-wearing, and necessary rapid antigen testing procedures on the advice of local government and public authorities amid the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.
“We will strictly adhere to the Alert Level 2 health protocols in my home province. It is called discipline,” part of Lacson’s tweet posted on Sunday evening read.
The Lacson-Sotto presidential duo is backed by three political parties in the country namely Partido Reporma, which Lacson chairs; the Nationalist People’s Coalition chaired by Sotto; and the National Unity Party headed by their campaign manager, former Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno.