Ping Lacson tells voters: Be smart and discerning in picking candidates

Former senator Panfilo Lacson. — Inquirer file photo

MANILA, Philippines — With two days to go before the 2025 midterm elections, former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has reiterated his reminder about ‘four types of candidates’, urging the public to be smart and discerning.

Lacson and other Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates were asked during a press conference on Friday as to what would be their final reminder to people who would cast their votes on Monday, May 12.

In response, Lacson’s buddy and fellow senatorial candidate, former Senate president Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said that Lacson’s reminder is the best advice — prompting the latter to repeat his campaign statements.

“So a reminder — I have repeatedly said this during flag-raising ceremonies, there are four types of candidates we can choose from.  First, the hardworking and honest candidate.  Then there’s the hardworking but corrupt kind,” he said in Filipino.

“Third, there are lazy candidates, those who do not want to work, but are honest.  And fourth, there are lazy candidates who even steal taxpayers’ money.  So it’s up to you to pick who is deserving of elective posts,” he added.

According to Lacson, the 90-day campaign period should have allowed voters to discern which candidates are fit for office, whether for the local or national race.

`Good track record’

“By now you should have known who are the candidates with a good track record, so you can choose from there.  I hope that would be our basis, because there are some who are easily swayed, some have high standards, and some have no standards at all.  It’s up to them,” he said.

Lacson first made mention of this guide during the Alyansa’s sortie in Antipolo City last April 4, noting that the future of the Philippines rests on how voters pick their candidates.

READ: Lacson to voters: There are 4 kinds of Senate bets, the choice is yours

Sotto meanwhile said that his answer is the same as Lacson’s.  Furthermore, the actor-turned politician said that one of his close friends, comedian Joey de Leon, offered a simple way on how to pick candidates.

“Same as above.  No, but seriously, for me, if you are a voter, what Senator Lacson is saying is correct.  Then that means we look at the track record, if a candidate does not have a clear track record, that’s a problem.  So do you know them?” Sotto asked in mixed Filipino and English.

“I was laughing the other day because Joey de Leon said, he will vote for a candidate who has done a lot of good for the country, one who knows his job and his capabilities.  And most of all, someone whom he has known for a long time.  You have known us for a long time,” he added.

During the same briefing, Alyansa candidates thanked supporters for tirelessly backing their campaign and candidacies.  Alyansa campaign manager and Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco also thanked the media for its fair coverage of the slate.

Filipino people first

According to Tiangco, he believes that Alyansa was able to reach people and deliver a message that the election is about putting the Filipino people first — in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas vision.

With elections just two days away, most of Alyansa’s candidates are faring well in surveys, with at least eight of the 11-person slate entering the Magic 12.

According to the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released on Thursday, ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo leads the survey, getting 45 percent of the respondents’ votes.

Behind him are the following Alyansa stalwarts:

• Sotto (3rd, 37 percent)
• Senator Lito Lapid (4th, 34 percent)
• Lacson (6th, 32 percent)
• Makati Mayor Binay (7th, 31 percent)
• Deputy Speaker Camille Villar (9th, 30 percent)
• Senator Pia Cayetano (10th, 29 percent)
• Senator Bong Revilla (11th, 29 percent)

READ: Erwin Tulfo leads final SWS survey on Senate race

A separate survey from OCTA Research meanwhile showed that eight of the 11-person slate are inside the Magic 12 — including Tulfo, Sotto, Cayetano, Revilla, Binay, Lapid, Lacson, and Villar.

Despite being outside the Magic 12, both former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino are still optimistic about their chances.

Abalos on Friday said that he is confident that he can ride the momentum, noting that the SWS survey showed that he recorded the most significant increase in voter support.