Some Cabinet members and economic managers under the administration of the late President “Noynoy” Aquino can play a key role to help the country get back on its feet, said Partido Reporma standard-bearer Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on January 14.
“The late President Aquino had his share of good, capable Cabinet members and economic managers from where a pool may be created to get the country back on its feet,” said Lacson.
Lacson noted that some of them have good track records in addressing the humongous problems of the country.
He named: Rene Almendras, Rogelio Singson, Kim Henares, Johnny Santos, Sonny Coloma, Arsi Balisacan.
Lacson worked with members of the Aquino Cabinet, having served as Presidential Adviser for Rehabilitation and Recovery from late 2013 to early 2015.
During the Aquino administration, Almendras served as Cabinet Secretary while Singson served as head of the Department of Public Works and Highways. Santos headed the Social Security System.
Henares was head of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. She is now part of Lacson’s think tank, while Coloma headed the Presidential Communications Operations Office. Balisacan headed the National Economic and Development Authority.
Lacson is prioritizing good governance should he win the presidential race in May. He intends to do this through a combination of efficient revenue collection and a crackdown on corruption with stern discipline and leadership by example.
Lacson also hopes to turn every Filipino into the best versions of themselves if he becomes President in the 2022 elections.
Party treasurer and spokesperson Arnel Ty gave this assurance in an interview with Cagayan de Oro City-based Magnum Radio, January 15, as he vouched for the character of Lacson and his political acumen that would make him the most qualified person to lead our nation for the next six years.
“What we see is that if (Lacson) will be fortunate enough to win the support of Filipinos, every one of them or majority of Filipinos can achieve whatever dreams they have (in life),” he said.
Ty explained the reason why Partido Reporma chose to support and campaign for Lacson on his second presidential bid. It is because of how Lacson built a long and successful political career by simply relying on his own set of skills and without losing his moral code.
“What we saw in him, apart from his competence, integrity and courage, is his background. He came from an ordinary family and dreamt. He dreamed of becoming educated… He dreamed of serving the country and he was able to do that,” he said.
Lacson came from a lower-middle class family. His parents held ordinary jobs yet managed to raise him and seven of his siblings well. Lacson understood the value of education and it is what helped carry him through his journey from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) to the Senate.
Before he entered politics, Lacson served in both the military and police force. He rose through the ranks in the Philippine National Police (PNP), which he transformed into a more respected and trusted organization when he led it from 1999 to 2001.
Ty described Lacson as the kind of leader who knows how to get things done even when he had his back against the wall. “Anytime he wants to do something and he has to achieve it, he just perseveres,” he said.
Now that the Philippines is facing a myriad of problems, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic has been dragging on for two years now, Ty said Filipinos are in dire need of an experienced and sober leader, who has the ability to manage multiple crises at the same time.
“We are currently in a pandemic and this pandemic will end but the problem is our mounting national debt… What we need is that whoever will take over as president must have the capacity to lead our nation’s recovery,” he said.
Lacson is seeking the presidency in tandem with his running mate Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III on the platform of good governance and the elimination of crime and corruption.
“Aayusin ang Gobyerno, Uubusin ang Magnanakaw”
