Senators Panfilo Lacson and Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday filed their respective candidacies for president and vice president in the 2022 elections, formalizing a tandem that they described as "cast in stone".
Lacson, who is giving the presidency another try 17 years after his first attempt in 2004, filed his certificate of candidacy together with Sotto. They were accompanied by their family.
"Kung ipagkakaloob ng Diyos na ang Lacson-Sotto tandem ang mapipiling mamumuno, isang disiplinadong burukrasya ang paiiralin, kabilang na ang maayos na paggastos ng pambansang budget upang makaabot ang kaunlaran sa mga liblib na lugar ng bansa," Lacson said in his speech following his filing of candidacy.
Lacson also took pride that he has no record of corruption. "Kapag ang namumuno ay matino at nirerespeto, panalo ang pangkaraniwang Pilipino," he added.
The Lacson-Sotto ticket is the first tandem to be confirmed for the 2022 elections. They officially launched their bids on Sept. 8 in a pre-recorded program aired on TV and social media.
Sotto topped the list of preferred vice presidential candidates in the latest Pulse Asia survey released two days before the filing of candidacies commenced. Lacson, on the other hand, was in a statistical tie for third place with Vice President Leni Robredo.
During their launch, Lacson stressed the need for the country's next leaders to lead by example.
"Between me and Sen. Sotto are more than 80 years of honest, dedicated and competent public service. Meron kaming sapat na kakahayan, katapatan, at katapangan upang pamunuan ang ating bansa at upang muling bumangon sa ating pagkakalugmok," he added.
Sotto said what prompted them to push through with their candidacy was their desire to answer the question: "Where are we going?"
"We could provide a good alternative. We're not pro-opposition, we're not pro-administration, we're pro-Filipino," he earlier said.
Lacson earlier joined and was elected as chairman of the revived Partido Reporma, saying that his advocacies were well-aligned with those of the party. Sotto, meanwhile, is the chairman of the Nationalist People's Coalition.
Lacson, during their candidacy filing, said they were forming a broad alliance with other parties including Reporma, NPC, National Unity Party, and the United Nationalist Alliance to ensure a clean elections in May 2022.
Sotto also said they are now considering 14 names in their senatorial slate, which they will finalize after Oct. 8.
Apart from the personalities they mentioned earlier, the Senate President said earlier in the day that former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista will be a part of their senatorial ticket.
ALSO READ:
Lacson for President, Sotto for VP: Can Senators Cross Over to Malacanang?