Partido Reporma presidential candidate Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is “prepared to go to war”—that is, for the CNN Philippines presidential debate happening today at the University of Santo Tomas auditorium.
Meanwhile, with oil prices soaring at over $100 per barrel and stock markets facing increased volatility amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Lacson said Filipinos must anticipate the costs of living to get more expensive in the coming days.
Also, Cutting the country’s dropout rate is a key goal for the Partido Reporma standard-bearer and running mate Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III under their “Edukasyon Plus” program, as they aim to reverse a disturbing trend and give Filipinos the quality education they deserve.
Lacson and Sotto also said more food terminals will sprout across the country once they gain the people’s mandate following the May 9 national elections.
Alluding to Lacson’s background as a former military and police officer, spokesman Ashley “Ace” Acedillo said that like in previous debates, the Partido Reporma standard-bearer is more than ready to face eight other presidential hopefuls head on in a clash of ideas and plans for the Filipino people ahead of the May 9 national elections.
“The February 27 event is much like going to battle – one needs to prepare to fight – although this time, it’s more in the realm of principles and ideas, and not in terms of physical violence,” Acedillo said in a statement.
Sotto was likewise very prepared heading into his own vice-presidential debate on Saturday with six other contenders also hosted by CNN Philippines, the spokesman for the tandem added.
“Conducting a nationwide presidential campaign is much like waging a war (giyera) where you establish your causes for going to war (bakit ka tumatakbo)? Who or what are you going up against (sino o ano ang nilalabanan mo)? Who are your allies (sinu-sino ang mga kakampi mo)? And what wherewithal do you have (ano ang mga armas at kagamitan mo pang-giyera)?” said Acedillo, a former party-list congressman and Air Force pilot.
The spokesman noted that Lacson had served in uniform for 30 years before becoming a three-term senator and has “literally fought hundreds of battles – whether it’s against criminals or terrorists.”
“Lacson knows what it takes to prepare for, and win, in this latest CNN ‘battle’ much as he has done so in the election-related fora with Jessica Soho, Boy Abunda or with the KBP (Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas),” Acedillo said.
“And he (Lacson) plans to win the bigger ‘giyera’ – the upcoming May 9, 2022 election,” the Lacson-Sotto spokesman added.