Launch of Lacson-Sotto tandem postponed due to Delta variant

Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Panfilo Lacson have decided to postpone the formal launch of their Eleksyon 2022 tandem due to the threat of the more infectious Delta variant.

The launch was initially scheduled on August 4, Wednesday.

"Sen. Lacson and I have agreed to reschedule the launch event to a later date due to the new developments on the COVID-19 Delta variant in the country," Sotto said in a message on Monday.

"While we are dealing with a possible nationwide surge in the infection rate, we thought it's best to focus more on attending to our people’s health concerns and priorities than any other non-health related activities," he added.

Sotto said the matter is a purely sensitivity issue even if it will be virtually presented. He added that the new schedule would probably be after the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila.

"We will make the proper announcement on the new launch event date which will be most probably right after the ECQ," Sotto said.

The National Capital Region will be placed under the strictest form of quarantine from August 6 to 20 to curb the spread of the Delta variant.

Postponement

Lacson said they have been discussing the postponement since last week.

"As early as the middle of last week, SP Sotto and I have agreed to reschedule the launch event to a later date due to the new developments on the COVID-19 Delta variant," Lacson said in a separate message to GMA News Online.

"While we are grappling with an evident surge in the infection rate, we should focus more on attending to our people’s health concerns and priorities than any other non-health related activities," he added.

Sotto, meanwhile, said the target date of the formal launch is September 8.

On July 20, Lacson confirmed that he would run for president in the 2022 national polls, with Sotto as his runningmate. This came after a series of consultations with local officials in Luzon.

According to the latest Pulse Asia survey, 4% of Filipino said they would vote Lacson for president while 10% of Filipinos said they would vote for Sotto. — RSJ, GMA News