Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson doubts that the opposition will be able to unite candidates for the 2022 national and local elections.
Lacson gave the observation Tuesday, Sept. 28, while the camps of Vice President Leni Robredo and opposition coalition 1Sambayan pursue their "unity talks" with potential candidates for next year.
"It's possible but very slim 'yong chance na --- kung meron man opening 'yong door, I think, napakasikip na 'yong dadaanan na pinto pag dating dito (It's possible but they is now a very slim chance for the opposition to come up with a united ticket -- if a door will be opening, I think, the entry will be narrow when it comes to this)," Lacson, who will run for president, said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.
"Because you know, she's (Leni) been talking to Mayor Isko . Sabi niya si Sen. Manny, pero nag-announce na rin yong dalawa, eh (She also mentioned Sen. Manny Pacquiao, but the two have already announced their presidential bids)."
"In fact, si Mayor Isko talagang tingin natin tuloy-tuloy na (I think Mayor Isko is bent on running for president). So I don't know, I cannot see the possibility na matutuloy pa yong sinasabi na one unity ticket ng opposition, anti-administration ticket (that the unity ticket of the opposition, their anti-administration ticket, will push through)," Lacson said.
"Medyo malabo na 'yon (That's getting dim)," the Partido Reporma chairman opined.
Robredo previously met Lacson and his running mate Senate President VIcente Sotto III about the opposition's goal of coming up with a single set of candidates against the Duterte administration's ticket for the May, 2022 polls.
But the talks may not have ended as Robredo expected, with Lacson saying the Vice President "resisted" his "unification formula".
"Well, I tried," said Lacson, maintaining he won't be backing out from his presidential bid.
Lacson said he and Sotto will file their certificates of candidacy before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on October 6.