Lacson's Senate slate vows reforms in law and order, healthcare

IMUS—The Senate slate of presidential candidate Panfilo Lacson and vice presidential candidate Vicente Sotto III vowed reforms in law and order, healthcare system, and agriculture.

The tandem’s proclamation rally at Imus, Cavite was attended by senatorial candidates from Partido Reporma namely, former Philippine National Police chief Guillermo Eleazar, former Makati Rep. Monsour del Rosario, and Dra. Minguita Padilla.

Former Senator JV Ejercito and former Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, senatorial bets from the Nationalist People’s Coalition, were also present at the event.

Introducing himself as the “Siga sa Senado,” Eleazar said he would pursue policies on security and order in the Senate, emphasizing that this is one of the factors that will contribute to the country’s economic development.

Padilla, a practicing physician, vowed to introduce reforms in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. She made the commitment as she recall Lacson and Sotto’s role in investigating alleged anomalies and irregularities within the state insurance system.

On the other hand, Del Rosario said he would push reforms that will improve the lives of athletes and people with special needs.

Ejercito reiterated the need to improve the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act, which he sponsored in the Senate during the 17th Congress.

He also promised to oversee the process of organizing the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD.)

Ejercito then vouched for Lacson and Sotto’s competence and clean track records.

“Yung mga kasama natin dito walang sabit. Bawal kay Ping Lacson and Tito Sotto ‘yan. Kaya proud ako na makahanay at kanila pong isinama [sa slate],” he said.

(Our colleagues have no bad record. Ping Lacson and Tito Sotto won't allow that. That's why I am proud that I belong to this slate.)

Piñol, for his part, lamented the state of food security in the country.

If elected, he said he will push for the revocation of the Rice Tariffication Law.

Piñol also vowed to introduce reforms in the country’s market system so the government would not resort to importation.

“I believe that we are facing critical times. It is in these critical times that we need a leader like Ping Lacson,” he said, noting the senator’s consistency and competence.

Other members of their Senate slate, Antique Representative Loren Legarda, Sorsogon Governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero, former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Senator Joel Villanueva, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Richard Gordon, former Information and Communications Secretary Gregorio Honasan II, and former broadcaster Raffy Tulfo, were not able to attend their proclamation rally.

Legarda, Escudero, and Gordon delivered their speeches through taped videos.

Meanwhile, Zubiri was represented by his wife, Mrs. Audrey Zubiri;  Gatchalian by his brother, Deputy Speaker Wes Gatchalian; and Honasan by his sister, Alia.

At a press conference prior to the event, Lacson said they would still endorse all the senatorial candidates whom they named last October.

However, Lacson and Sotto said that they will no longer campaign for senatorial candidates who support other candidates for president and vice president.

The proclamation rally was attended by around 4,000 people.

Cavite, a vote-rich province, is considered Lacson’s bailiwick as the presidential aspirant was born and raised in Imus. —NB, GMA News