Lacson, Sotto formally announce presidential, VP runs in Eleksyon 2022

Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson and Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III on Wednesday formally announced their presidential and vice presidential bid, respectively, in Eleksyon 2022.

The senators made the announcement in a taped program hosted by Pia Guanio.

The video was aired on national television and on various social media platforms.

Lacson and Sotto launched their campaign motto “Ito ang Simula,” which is centered on “Katapangan, Kakayahan at Katapatan.”

In his speech, Lacson highlighted the problems that the Philippines is currently facing, among them the huge debt, unemployment, closure of businesses, the increasing number of poor Filipinos, illegal drugs, and the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea.

“Hindi biro-biro ang mga pagsubok na haharapin ng susunod na administrasyon. Between me and Senate President Sotto are more than 80 years of honest, dedicated, and competent public service,” he said.

(Truly, the challenges that the next administration will face are no joking matter.)

He said their "competence, integrity and courage to lead" can help the country rise above the adversities. He also stressed the need for “leadership by example,” saying “no leader can succeed if he cannot practice what he preaches.”

“Kailangan natin ng lider na ang tama ay ipaglalaban at ang mali ay lalabanan. Kaya naman magiging una sa ating prayoridad ang mas maigting na pagtugon sa pandemya. Marapat lamang na punan ang mga kakulangan at ituwid ang mga kamalian,” Lacson said.

(We need a leader who will fight for what is right and will fight what is wrong. Hence, the first of our priorities is a stronger response to the pandemic. We have to fill the gaps and correct the wrongdoing.)

“We need strict discipline in the management of public coffers. There will no longer be swindlers and exploiters, whether close friends or strangers. There should be only one standard for everyone to follow and enforce. There are no sacred cows among those who will profit from the government,” the lawmaker added.

He also pointed out the need to distribute resources to various parts of the Philippines and pushed the need for local government units’ autonomy but with greater accountability.

“Kaunting tiis na lang, malapit na, makakaahon na tayo [A little more patience. It is not long before we recover],” he said.

Currently, the Lacson-Sotto tandem is crafting a roadmap or a master plan that they will present to the people.

For his part, Sotto wooed the public to give him their trust in order to bring hope to the country. He reiterated the list of “serious” problems that the Philippines is currently dealing with.

“Marahil, dumating na tayo sa punto na hindi na natin kayangipagsawalang bahala na lamang ang mga nangyayari – sa ating gobyerno, sa ekonomiya. Tama na!Kailangan na nating tumugon! Kailangan na nating umaksyon! Kailangan na natin magsanib pwersa upang mapigilan at maitama ang mali. Ito na ang simula,” he said.

(Perhaps, we have come to the point where we can no longer ignore what is happening – to our government, to our economy. Enough! We need to respond! We need to take action! We need to work together to prevent and correct mistakes. This is the beginning.)

Both senators were accompanied by their families during the formal announcement. 

According to Sotto, their senatorial lineup will have a separate announcement.

The initial list of personalities who might be included in their senatorial slate are 

• Jejomar “Jojo” Binay Sr.
• Francis “Chiz” Escudero
• Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian
• Richard “Dick” Gordon
• Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II
• Gregorio “Goyo” Larrazabal
• Loren Legarda
• Lucy Torres-Gomez
• Joel Villanueva
• Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri
• Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito

—KBK, GMA News