If he becomes President, Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer Isko Moreno Domagoso is willing to give a Cabinet post to Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, whom he described as “an asset of the country.”
“I don’t want to preempt the result. For example, Senator Ping Lacson. Senator Ping Lacson is an asset of the country. That, I guarantee. He has a particular set of skills that are useful to suppress a problem in our community. And I do believe, he is qualified to that. And I will cross the bridge when I get there because I don’t know if I will be lucky. Maybe he will prosper, or the others will prosper,” Moreno told reporters in Los Banos, Laguna on Wednesday.
Lacson, whose term as senator ends on June 30 this year, is also running for President, under the Partido Reporma party. He has repeatedly said that should he lose the 2022 presidential race, he will definitely retire from politics.
As chief of the Philippine National Police for 14 months, Lacson was able to clean up the police force of ICUs – the inept, corrupt, and undisciplined police officers. Leadership by example has been the hallmark of Lacson, who implemented a “no-take” policy on all illegal activities, particularly illegal gambling, Moreno noted.
“You know one of the best things is really fighting corruption. As much as the President of the country will have economic problems because we have already committed to the people that the first two years of six years, Doc Willie and I will focus on life and livelihood.”
“And I think with all the problems of our country, I need the same qualities as Senator Ping Lacson to address corruption and discipline in the government,” Moreno explained.
Reacting to Domagoso’s remarks, Lacson said he thanked the Manila Mayor for his kind words.
“But I also intend to win. So, how can he appoint me if I win?” said Lacson in yesterday’s “Meet the Press.”
According to Lacson’s running mate, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, other candidates should first focus on winning the election before delving into their possible appointments.
Pressed by reporters if he is thinking of appointing Lacson as his anti-corruption czar, the Manila City mayor replied: “We will never know. I’ll cross the bridge when I get there. I don’t want to take the lead because I can’t predict the result of the election.”
“But, as you have said, theoretically, that’s going to happen. God be merciful, if we prosper with human help, I’ll do that. I’ll make an offer. But for the meantime, I don’t want to underestimate my competitors because all presidential candidates or candidates for that matter, have a chance to win,” Moreno said.
The 47-year-old presidential candidate said he will issue an executive order inviting all people based on merits, skills, abilities, and administrative capability to be part of his government.
“Of course, the important thing is that we can reassure our people because we can make anyone work. And that is the kind of executive order we will make. The government will be formed immediately and what is really put in the government, the basis will be their qualification. Not who they voted for, who they campaigned for,” Moreno pointed out.
“That is important to me because of the hardships of human life today, what people need now is to act quickly, find a real solution to the risks facing life and health and risks to employment and employment. I think that is the most important executive order your servant can make,” he added.
And if he fails to win the presidency, Moreno maintained he is ready to retire from politics and spend more time with his wife and five children.
“Well, I already committed myself, I will retire. Did I make a commitment, we were in Bulacan? I said that. After this, I am confident. Eh, I won’t take it back from my family. I think I owe a lot to my family, to my children. Because the family I made is the people of the town. Most of my time was dedicated to public service. But I am confident, thank God, my family is fine, and I can live comfortably,” Moreno said.
Fighting corruption is part of Moreno’s “Smart Governance” under his Bilis Kilos 10-Point Economic Agenda. He said one way of battling the menace is to limit human discretion in government transactions by simplifying government processes through digitization and automation.
The presidential candidate said his administration will be serious in its anti-corruption campaign and this can be done by adapting to existing technology that would limit human discretion in every government transaction like what he did as mayor of the City of Manila.
Moreno will also promote the ease of doing business in all levels of government to curb corruption. In 2019, the Philippines ranked 95 out of 190 economies in the ease of doing business.
Meanwhile, Moreno said he will continue with his campaign sorties despite suffering wounds on his right hand and arm due to people frantically grabbing and holding him during their recent motorcades.
His running mate Doc Willie Ong earlier revealed to media that the Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer had to take anti-bacterial ointment due to the scratches on his right hand and arm.
Moreno said the temporary pain he is feeling cannot be compared to the hardships currently being felt by most of our countrymen who are living in poverty and whose situation were further worsened by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.