Its the turn of Senators Panfilo Lacson and Vicente Sotto III to file their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the May 2022 polls.
The tandem filed their COCs for president and vice president, respectively, on Wednesday, Oct 6, before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) at Sofitel Tent in Pasay City.
The two officially announced their candidacies as president and vice-president for the 2022 national elections last Sept. 8.
The two Senators are supported by the Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma party or Partido Reporma.
Lacson was sworn in as the party’s chairman last July while Senate President Sotto is the Chairman of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).
In an interview after filing his COC, Lacson expressed belief that Sotto is already the winning candidate for vice president.
"Alam mo parang pinagpala talaga ng langit, parang ngayon palang sigurado na puwede na mag deklara bise presidente ang aking ka tandem, ang aking ka partner. Kaya ngayon palang kino congratulate ko na (It's like he is blessed by the heavens. Even this early, it is already certain, he can be declared as vice president. This early, I am already congratulating my tandem)," he said.
"Sabi ko lang sa kanya wag mo ko pabayaan (I just told him: Don't leave me)," added Lacson.
According to Partido Reporma, Lacson’s track record both in the Senate and in his stint as the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief from 1999 to 2001 are his best credentials in his presidential bid in the May 2022 general elections.
He authored, co-authored and sponsored the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, An Act Increasing the Base Pay of the Members of the AFP (RA 9166), Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (RA 9208), and the Anti-Money Laundering Act (RA 9160 as amended by Republic Act 9194), among others.
Just like Lacson, Sotto has also authored, sponsored and co-authored important legislation like the Kasambahay Law, Expanded Senior Citizen Act, National Teacher’s Day, Anti-Hospital Deposit Law, among others.