- MITCH M. LIPA
Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III were in Negros Occidental Sept. 16 as part of the series of consultations before the filing of the Certificates of Candidacy in October for the 2022 national elections.
The tandem of the presidential and vice presidential candidates from Partido Reporma and Nationalist People’s Coalition said they hope to get the support of Negrenses.
Negros Occidental was the second province in the Visayas that they have visited after the launch of their tandem Sept. 8.
Lacson, who hails from Luzon, said he is positive that his tandem with Sotto will have the support of Negrosanons. He said he is set to meet with Governor Eugenio Lacson.
Sotto said he got information on the governor’s support for his vice presidential bid since they are both members of the NPC. He said he expects him to support the tandem. Sotto is the NPC national president.
The senators also recalled their support for the sugar industry, particularly during the passing of the TRAIN Law and the Sugar Industry Development Fund. They said they hope to get also the support of the sugar stakeholders.
Former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who joined the Lacson-Sotto team in the Iloilo and Negros visits, said their group has agreed to form a force with the PDP-Laban Pacquiao wing against the candidates of the administration.
Alvarez said the PDP Laban is a “confused party” because, up to this time, they have not chosen their presidential candidate but have selected the vice presidential bet.
Their visit to Negros was facilitated by former GSIS president, Atty. Clint Aranas. – MML
