Lacson names PNoy as the Philippine president he admires the most

Presidential aspirant and Senator Panfilo Lacson said the late President Benigno Aquino III is the Philippine president he admires the most due to his anti-corruption drive.

“Ang hinahangaan ko si President PNoy. Unang-una, pinangunahan niya ‘yung ‘No Wang-Wang’ policy. Symbolic. Napakasimple pero napaka-symbolic. Ibig sabihin walang entitlement, ano,” he said during the Jessica Soho Presidential Interviews aired Saturday.

(The past president that I admire the most is President PNoy. First of all, he led the ‘No Wang-Wang’ policy.  It is very simple but very symbolic. He has no entitlement.)

“Sa mga nakaraang pangulo natin talagang siya ang hinahangaan ko kasi hindi siya corrupt. ‘Yun ‘yung pagkakakilala ko sa kaniya dahil nakatrabaho ko siya,” he added.

(I admire him because he was not corrupt. That’s how I knew him because I had worked with him.)

Lacson has served as the rehabilitation and recovery czar in late 2013 to early 2015 under the Aquino administration.His appointment came after the Philippines was hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Recently, Lacson named several Cabinet secretaries of the Aquino administration who he said could help solve the country's problems.

Among them are Rene Almendras, Babes Singson, Kim Henares, Johnny Santos, Sonny Coloma, Arsi Balisacan.

Almendras served as Cabinet Secretary; Singson as head of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Santos as Social Security System chief, and Henares as head of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Currently, she is part of Lacson's think tank.

Meanwhile, Coloma headed the Presidential Communications Operations Office and Balisacan the National Economic and Development Authority.

Further, Lacson said his integrity is his most priced possession.

“’Yung aking integridad, sa napakahabang panahon mula nung nag-chief [of Philippine National Police] ako, even before that nung nasa law enforcement hanggang maging senador ako, ‘yan ang aking ipinagmamalaki,” he said.

(My integrity, since the time that I became the chief of PNP,and even before that, when I served in the law enforcement until I became a senator, that’s what I can boast about.)

“’Yung aking mataas na integridad, ni minsan hindi ako tumanggap ng suhol kapalit ng serbisyo publiko, ‘yan lang ang pwede kong ipagmalaki. ‘Yan ang aking priced possession in this lifetime,” he added.

(I did not accept bribe in exchange of public service ever since. That is what I am proud of. That is my priced possession in this lifetime.)

Lacson’s 2022 campaign motto is “Ito ang Simula,” which is centered on “Katapangan, Kakayahan at Katapatan.” He is pushing for good governance, anti-corruption, and budget reforms.

He is running with Senate President Vicente Sotto III. --KBK, GMA News