A total of 15,879 Filipinos have now joined Partido Reporma and have committed support for the presidential bid of its chairman and standard-bearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who is running to fulfill his Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) agenda, among other platforms.
A ranking official from the party disclosed on Tuesday they are moving within target in terms of their grassroots recruitment process to boost the candidacy of Lacson.
Partido Reporma is now busy organizing supporters to rally behind the BRAVE advocacy of its standard-bearer.
“I am delighted to report that our call center operations continue and remain focused on pushing our reform advocacies. We are glad to know thousands of Filipinos understand what we are fighting for and are willing to support us on our mission,” Partido Reporma treasurer Arnel Ty said.
Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente Sotto lll stressed as unconstitutional the planned deferment of the upcoming elections due to COVID-19.
“Malabo (murky),” said Sotto, who is running for vice president in next year’s elections under the Nationalist People’s Coalition where he is the President.
He noted there is no provision in the Constitution that will allow a holdover for national officials except for 12 members of the Senate.
The running mate of Lacson also noted there would be a vacuum in government if that happened.
Lacson said the parties petitioning for the delayed elections should read the Constitution.
“Even the prayer in the petition to extend the term of President Rodrigo Duterte in a holdover capacity is outright unconstitutional,” he said.
Under the leadership of Lacson, who has been tirelessly explaining to the public what BRAVE is all about whenever he holds consultation meetings via ‘Online Kumustahan’ with different sectors across the regions, Ty is convinced more Filipinos would eventually move to their side.
“The good intentions of BRAVE have been resonating with the people, who are smart enough to place their trust on the leadership of our chairman, future President Ping Lacson, so they can reap the potential benefits of the program that could help improve their living conditions,” Ty said.
Lacson has said that BRAVE will be his flagship program should he and his running mate Sotto are fortunate enough to win the trust of millions of Filipino voters come the May 9, 2022 elections.
BRAVE aims to overhaul the entire national budget process in ways that could empower local government units nationwide. Under this proposal, a bigger chunk of public funds will be spent on key areas that need them the most to accelerate a much more inclusive social and economic growth.
Decentralization and devolution of powers from the national government down to the local levels are among the principles espoused by Partido Reporma, on the firm belief that it will bring a more efficient government response to the people, thus creating a more vibrant and truly democratic nation.
Lacson also promised that his anti-corruption drive will continue. He declared every day would be “Anti-Kotong Day” under a possible Lacson-Sotto administration until the culture of corruption among government officials particularly in the executive branch gets totally eliminated.
Apart from the Lacson-Sotto tandem, Partido Reporma is also supporting the senatorial candidacies of veteran ophthalmologist and public health advocate Dr. Minguita Padilla, former Philippine National Police chief Guillermo Eleazar, and former Makati congressman Monsour del Rosario.