Nearly 300 retired police and military generals, as well as former government officials on Friday are rallying behind presidential candidate Panfilo Lacson who was dropped by the Partido Reporma its standard bearer in the May 9 elections.
They publicly aired their unswerving faith, trust and loyalty to Lacson in a signed manifesto of support amid his uphill battle in the 2022 national elections.
In a press conference held at the Ri-Rance 2 Corporate Center in Parañaque City, ex- Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop led a group of volunteers and retired servicemen in announcing their decision to stand with Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III.
The event was also attended by former Cabinet secretaries and past officials of the PNP, AFP, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and their attached organizations—a number of whom worked with Lacson and served under different administrations.
Acop assumed the responsibility of being the overall campaign manager of Lacson with former BIR commissioner Atty. Kim Jacinto-Henares as the assistant campaign manager.
Lacson’s spokesperso. Ashley Acedillo. said Acop is now in charge of running the presidential campaign of the three-term senator through the Lacson-Sotto Support Group (LSSG) and its organized units across 59 provinces nationwide.
The decision was made after Lacson separated himself from Partido Reporma last week.
“We wanted to meet to inform our countrymen that Ping Lacson is not backing out from the presidential race… And we, his supporters, are also not backing down from this fight,” he said.
Jacinto-Henares also shut down pointless suggestions from some people in the opposing camps for Lacson to just withdraw his candidacy. She noted that those who could not measure up to Lacson are probably the ones who should consider quitting, not Lacson, who is the best candidate.
“Why don’t those who don’t have the capability and who cannot do the job back out? But if somebody who is… I always say we have the best (candidate) in Ping Lacson. Why should somebody who is the best back out? The ones who should think about backing out are those who cannot measure up to his capability,” Jacinto-Henares stated.
Former Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado likewise attested to the positive leadership attributes of Lacson befitting our country’s next president. He found him to be the lone presidential candidate capable of leading the nation at a time of discord and uncertainty.
Mercado urged Filipino voters to apply the same guiding principles most chief executive officers use when they are about to welcome people into their organizations: ‘hire on character, train on skills.’ With Lacson, training on skills is already a given, considering his over five decades in public service.
He spoke about the integrity of Lacson whom he worked with during his stint as Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND). Mercado also advised the general public not to underestimate Lacson and his committed team of supporters.
Retired Colonel Mariano Santiago, who served under the administrations of Presidents Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. and Corazon Aquino, said he is supporting Lacson because he is already tired of the same political dynasties only taking their turns to rule the country.
He implored Filipinos to ‘wake up’ and elect better public servants. Santiago also challenged the line of reasoning of some people on why they are reluctant to vote for Lacson, which is highly influenced by his ranking in most mainstream pre-election surveys.
In their manifesto, the LSSG officials and members asserted the competence, bravery and honesty of Lacson, which makes him the best candidate suited for the toughest job of leading the country. This is backed by his excellent track record in public service.
