Lacson, Sotto to launch Eleksyon 2022 campaign in vote-rich Cavite

Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday said they are “battle-ready” as they announced the launch of their Eleksyon 2022 campaign.

Lacson and Sotto, who are running for president and vice president in the May 9 polls, respectively, will hold their proclamation rally at Imus Grandstand in Cavite on Tuesday.

The official start of the campaign period for Eleksyon 2022 candidates who are running for national posts is on February 8.

The tandem said they are expecting around 4,000 supporters and political allies, including some local government officials of Cavite and nearby provinces, who have declared “unequivocal support” to their candidacies.

Members of their senatorial slate are also expected to attend the event, namely Partido Reporma stalwarts former Philippine National Police chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar, Dr. Minguita Padilla, and former Makati Rep. Monsour del Rosario.

Cavite, also know as the ‘Land of the Brave,’ is the second vote-rich province in the Philippines with over 2.15 million registered voters.

The province is considered as Lacson’s bailiwick as the presidential aspirant was born and raised in Imus City.

“Both he and Sotto were widely successful in securing support from the Caviteños during their previous senatorial runs,” their statement read.

Before their proclamation rally, Lacson and Sotto will attend a Mass at Imus Cathedral. They will be accompanied by their families.

The tandem assured that their team will observe public health and safety protocols such as social distancing, mask-wearing, and necessary rapid antigen testing procedures upon the advice of local government and public authorities.

In a tweet Sunday evening, Lacson said they will make sure to observe discipline in the conduct of their proclamation rally.

“On February 8, the Lacson-Sotto team and our senatorial candidates will hold our kick-off rally at the Imus grandstand at 5PM after a 3:30PM mass at the Imus Cathedral. We will strictly adhere to the Alert level 2 health protocols in my home province. It is called DISCIPLINE,” he said.

So far, there are three national political parties that are backing the Lacson and Sotto tandem, namely Partido Reporma, Nationalist People’s Coalition, and the National Unity Party.

Reporma is chaired by Lacson, NPC is led by Sotto, while NUP is headed by former Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, who is also their campaign manager.—AOL, GMA News