[UPDATED] Senator Lacson first to declare 2022 run for Philippine presidency

MANILA – Philippine Senator Panfilo Lacson today declared his candidacy for next year’s presidential election, the first to confirm a run for the top post to replace controversial but popular incumbent Rodrigo Duterte.

Former police chief Lacson, 73, made his announcement alongside Senate Speaker Vicente Sotto, a former actor, musician and four-term lawmaker who will be his running mate in the vice-presidential contest.

“Between me and Sotto are more than 80 years of honest, dedicated and competent public service,” said Lacson, drawing cheers from a small crowd and virtual attendees.

Duterte, 76, is prevented by the constitution from running for a second six-year term, but has expressed interest in the vice-presidency, which critics believe is a way to extend his grip on power behind a nominal president.

Today, he accepted his ruling PDP-Laban party’s nomination to run for vice-president.

He said his decision is driven by love for the country.

“It is really because I want to see the continuity of my efforts. Even though I may not be the one giving directions, I might be able to help,” he said in his address to the party.

Duterte had wanted long-time aide Christopher “Bong” Go, a senator, to succeed him, but the latter declined the party’s presidential nomination.

“My heart and mind are focused on serving the people.

“What is important is that we find someone with the same weight as President Duterte to continue the change.”

It is not immediately clear if the party has a second choice ahead of the deadline for registering candidates next month.

Lacson, who ran unsuccessfully for president in 2004, is known for his tough stance on crime and helping draft a controversial anti-terror law, which activists have condemned and fear could be used to crush dissent in one of Asia’s most liberal democracies.

He and Sotto spoke of the enormous challenges they would face if elected to lead Southeast Asia’s second-most-populous country, which is fighting one of the region’s deadliest coronavirus outbreaks.

“The country is buried in debt, many have lost their jobs... corruption is prevalent, and illegal drugs are still rampant,” said Lacson in a swipe at Duterte, who was elected on promises to eliminate corruption and drugs.

Lacson will be an outside bet and has been ranked low in independent opinion polls on preferred presidential picks for next year that have consistently shown Duterte’s daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio as the winning candidate.

Duterte-Carpio has expressed openness to running for president, months after telling Reuters she had no interest in the job. – Reuters, September 8, 2021