Former senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson on Monday participated in the Sorteo Festival with his fellow Cavite natives in Carmona.
The Sorteo Festival started in 1861, the same year as our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal’s birth. Sorteo means lottery or raffle in Spanish, where pieces of land are raffled to residents for farming. This festival happens every three years.
Speaking at the Sorteo Festival 2025, Lacson—who played a key role in Carmona’s cityhood—cited Cavite 5th District Rep. Roy Loyola for his persistent efforts towards the same goal.
“For 12 years, Rep. Loyola worked hard to make Carmona a city. I saw his efforts firsthand because I helped create the law that allowed for Carmona’s cityhood. This will bring prosperity to its people,” Lacson said in Filipino.
In the 18th Congress, Lacson filed Senate Bill 255, which made it easier for a municipality to become a component city.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the bill into Republic Act 11683 in February 2023. After residents voted in a plebiscite to approve RA 11938, Carmona officially became the eighth component city of Cavite on July 8, 2023.
Lacson also mentioned that Carmona has a rich history, dating back to the 1800s during the time of Dr. Jose Rizal.
Residents of Carmona welcomed Lacson and other senatorial candidates from Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas, including Benjamin Abalos, Camille Villar, and Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr.—the latter also a native of Cavite.