Former Interior Secretary Ronaldo “Ronnie” Puno, Partido Reporma’s campaign manager, on Thursday described his relationship with Senator Panfilo Lacson as “from fierce foe to a staunch supporter.”
“When Ping Lacson and I served together in the government, we butted heads. We were like classmates vying for top honors. When that happens, wouldn’t they clash?” said Puno, who now manages Lacson’s presidential campaign.
“They say I helped ‘make’ three Presidents. They should have added a fourth: Ping Lacson,” he added.
During the Estrada administration, Lacson served as Philippine National Police chief, while Puno served as secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government. The DILG supervises the PNP.
He said one of the causes of their clashes stemmed from Estrada’s order to go after illegal gambling but exempting some gambling lords. Lacson had continued to go all-out against all illegal gambling due to his no-take policy and leadership by example.
Meanwhile, tough problems require tough solutions from tough leaders—leaders with ability, honesty, and bravery, Partido Reporma chairman and standard bearer Lacson said, as he called on Pangasinenses to be critical of the officials they vote for in the 2022 national election.
In the recent “Online Kumustahan” attended by over 3,000 residents and supporters in Lingayen, Pangasinan, Lacson said the country’s broad range of problems need solutions that meet these challenges head-on, which only tough leaders understand and can accomplish.
“We have so many problems, and the solution should come from tough solutions, which can only come from tough leaders–those with ability, honesty, and bravery,” said the longtime public servant to a lively crowd at the Lingayen Civic Center
Lacson noted he had experienced solving tough problems throughout his years of service—20 years in the military under the Philippine Military Academy and the defunct Philippine Constabulary, which was later merged into the Philippine National Police, then 10 years in the PNP with three as national police chief, and 18 more as a senator and rehabilitation czar.
The no-nonsense lawmaker said he made a name for himself as someone not ever taking a bribe or reward, and not receiving his “pork barrel” funds in the Senate, which underscores his integrity—not something that can be assumed merely because he is a former military and police officer.
Having served our country for almost 18 years as a senator, and during these long years as a public servant, Lacson said he can proudly tell you all that “not once have I taken a bribe in exchange for public service.”
“I can say with my head held high, that you can ask the people I worked with in my previous assignments
former Interior Secretary Ronaldo “Ronnie” Puno, Partido Reporma’s campaign manager, described Lacson as “from fierce foe to a staunch supporter.”
“When Ping Lacson and I served together in the government, we butted heads. We were like classmates vying for top honors. When that happens, wouldn’t they clash)?” said Puno, who now manages Lacson’s presidential campaign.
During the Estrada administration, Lacson served as Philippine National Police chief, while Puno served as secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government. The DILG supervises the PNP.
He said one of the causes of their clashes stemmed from Estrada’s order to go after illegal gambling but exempting some gambling lords. Lacson had continued to go all-out against all illegal gambling due to his no-take policy and leadership by example.
up to the Senate (if I am corrupt). I have never accepted my pork barrel, not because it is bad—it is not. What’s bad with it is that it is not used properly like other public funds,” the Partido Reporma chief told the Pangasinenses.
Lacson said residents of Lingayen and Filipinos overall should care about electing the right leaders in the May 9, 2022 elections, as he thanked local officials led by City Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil, Vice Mayor Judy Vargas-Quiocho, and local Partido Reporma coordinators led by retired Police Col. Monalisa Asis for the encouraging reception he received in the city.
“We all have a stake, but once every six years, once every three years, we have a greater stake (with the elections). Especially our youth, they will inherit, they are the future, they are the hope of our nation,” he said.
“So let’s be critical (of our candidates), and when the elections come, let’s pick who we think can offer correct solutions to all the problems of our country,” he added.
Puno recalled that their working relationship was even marred by the filing of charges and issuing of arrest orders.
But he said he never lost respect for Lacson, who he said is the cleanest, most dedicated, most sincere, and most honest public servant. Thus, he did not hesitate when Lacson’s camp reached out to him to help in his campaign.
“I joined the government when I was 25 years old. Throughout my stint in government, I have never met anyone as clean, level-headed, dedicated, sincere and honest as Ping Lacson,” said Puno.
“This is the best kind of friendship, one that started on the wrong foot. There was no reason for us to be friends. There was no reason for me to be here,” he added.
Puno said his goal now is to make Lacson – now the standard-bearer of Partido Reporma – defy the claims of naysayers who cite recent “surveys,” especially at this critical time for the country’s future.
“Some surveys put us down there. But when you’re down, there’s nowhere to go but up,” he said.