Lacson still recognized as Partido Reporma's prexy bet despite resignation —Comelec

As far as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is concerned, Senator Panfilo Lacson is still the presidential candidate of Partido Reporma despite his resignation from the party.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita on Friday, Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said the poll body recognizes what was declared on a candidate's certificate of candidacy (COC) when it was filed.

“As far as the Comelec is concerned, ang nabanggit niyo pong kandidato (Lacson) ay kandidato pa rin po noong partido politikal at that time na siya ay nag-file ng candidacy,” he said.

(As far as the Comelec is concerned, Lacson is still a candidate of his political party at the time when he filed his candidacy.)

“Kung ano ‘yung kanyang partido politikal na nakalagay  po doon sa kanyang COC kasama na yung nakalakip na certificate of nomination, of acceptance, ‘yun pa rin po ang kinikilala ng Comelec,” he added.

(The political party that he declared in his COC, attached with a certification of nomination, of acceptance, that would still be recognized by the Comelec.)

Garcia said if the COC was filed on October 1, 2021, it can only be amended until October 8.

Lacson on Thursday announced his resignation as chairman and member of Partido Reporma, saying he will instead pursue his presidential bid as an independent candidate.

Party president Pantaleon Alvarez on the same day said Partido Reporma is now endorsing the presidential candidacy of Vice President Leni Robredo in the May 2022 elections. —KBK, GMA News