Lacson rejects money politics; ‘Eleksyon 2022 should be about country's future’

Independent presidential candidate Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson rejected what he called "money politics" following his resignation from Partido Reporma as chairman and member, saying the May 2022 elections should be about the country's future.

"As long as 'money politics' dominates our elections, it will be a vicious 'cycle of revenge' between candidates and voters: voters having a field day during the campaign period and candidates exacting vengeance for three or six years of victory. Kawawang Pilipinas (Poor Philippines)," Lacson said in a Saturday tweet.

"I am perceived to be the most knowledgeable in the management of government, way above the rest, and yet that does not factor in the surveys? Nonetheless, I will continue to champion my track record, qualities, platforms, and standard of what the Philippines needs," Lacson said in a separate statement.

Lacson resigned from Reporma after party president Pantaleon Alvarez and party secretary-general Edwin Jubahib decided to support the presidential candidacy of Vice President Leni Robredo.

Lacson said the reason behind Partido Reporma's shift of support was not survey ratings but his failure to contribute P800 million to the campaign funds of the party's local candidates.

"Kung corrupt ako, madali ko sanang maibibigay ang P800 milyon na hinihingi nila (If I were corrupt, I could have easily produced the P800 million the party's officials asked). But I don’t have the guts to steal or accept bribes. Nothing can ever change my principles and tarnish my integrity. This fight is not just about me and the present. It is about our country’s future," Lacson said.

Lacson also revealed he had spoken with some of the party members regarding the alleged claim by Alvarez that party members were pressuring the campaign headquarters to provide them with funds.

The senator said Reporma members are not being pressured to support Robredo just yet.

"The mere fact na hindi sila pinepressure as of yet. Hindi sila pine-pressure na sumunod doon sa gustong iendorse ng leadership ng Reporma. I think there still some goodwill left in their hearts," Lacson said.

(The mere fact that they are not being pressured as of yet. They are not yet being pressured to follow the party leadership's choice. I think there is still some goodwill left in their hearts.)

Alvarez declined to comment on Lacson's latest statements.

"I think it's better that I should not comment on this para hindi na humaba (so that it doesn't drag on)," the former House leader said in a message to GMA News Online.

Alvarez had denied Lacson's claim that he asked for P800 million for the campaign funds of Partido Reporma's candidates in his province.

"That's not true. I never asked funding requirements from him for our local candidates," Alvarez said.

Lacson, meanwhile, reiterated that he has no hard feelings towards Alvarez. 

"I don't want to think ill of him. Hanggang ngayon itinuturing ko pa rin siyang kaibigan," he said.

(I don't want to think ill of him. I still consider him a friend.)

"I still want to talk to Speaker Alvarez to sort things out. Ako lagi namin sinasabi ni Senate President, ang eleksyon isang araw lang yan, yung pagkakaibigan should go beyond politics and should go beyond election day."

(I still want to talk to Speaker Alvarez to sort things out. Senate President Vicente Sotto III and I always say the election is just one day. Friendship should go beyond politics and should go beyond election day.)

Lacson added that he is ready to meet with Alvarez after the May 9 elections. 

"Palagpasin lang ang eleksyon and probably after election, mag-lunch kami," he said.

(Let's finish the elections first, and probably after the elections, we can have lunch together.)  — DVM/VBL, GMA News