Lacson says Robredo 'resisted' unification 'formula' for Eleksyon 2022

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday bared that he offered Vice President Leni Robredo a “formula” that would unify his ticket with the opposition, but she was not “sold to the idea.”

In an ANC Interview, Lacson said his recent discussion with Robredo was about “unification” and plans to come up with a “common candidate” against the administration.

“I offered her a sure unification effort or formula to unite in the end. There was resistance. I won’t discuss the details, pero ‘yun ang nakikita ko talaga [but that’s what I saw]. Alam ni Senate President [Vicente Sotto III] ito [Senate President Sotto knows this] because I offered it to her openly in the presence of Senate President,” Lacson said.

“She resisted. Hindi siya sold dun sa [She was not sold to the] idea but it was a sure formula for putting up at least, between the two of us, a common candidate but unfortunately, she didn’t buy it,” he added.

Interviewed separately by GMA News, Lacson said Robredo's "resistance" to the unification move indicates the latter is seriously considering running for president.

"Hindi lang reluctance yung naramdaman ko, parang may resistance," Lacson said.

Lacson said he is willing to hold further talks with the Vice President.

"Let's see. I'm not closing the doors na ma-open uli yung ganung usapan. Pero mas difficult sa ngayon kesa noon," Lacson said.

Sought for comment, Robredo's spokesperson, Atty. Ibarra Gutierrez, maintained that Robredo is not throwing the towel just yet.

"Supporting anyone else for President is not yet being considered. The first option is still, very clearly, for Vice President Leni to run," Gutierrez said in a statement.

He added that Robredo "is definitely open to running for President."

"She has made this clear several times, and despite claims from some quarters to the contrary, her determination on this remains firm," Gutierrez said.

No backing out

Lacson, during the interview, was also firm that he will not back out from the presidential race despite efforts of the opposition to ask them to join the broad coalition that will rally behind one candidate who will go against the administration bet.

“At that point, when we were talking to Senator [Manny] Pacquiao, Vice President Leni Robredo, medyo naka-open pa ‘yung doors, but now, I have a commitment to my partner that come hell or high water, talagang tutuloy na namin ’to,” he said.

(At that point, when we were talking to Senator [Manny] Pacquiao, Vice President Leni Robredo, the doors were still open, but now, I have a commitment to my partner that come hell or high water, we will push through with our plan.)

Lacson and Senator Richard Gordon earlier disclosed that they had separate meetings with Robredo to discuss plans for the 2022 elections.

Both senators have expressed intention to run for president in the upcoming polls.

Lacson and his running mate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, will officially announce their candidacy on September 8. —with Llanesca T. Panti/Sandra Aguinaldo/KBK/LDF, GMA News