With presidential aspirant Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III reportedly leading the way, Partido Reporma party is hoping political discourse among candidates in the 2022 elections will rise to a higher level for the benefit of the country’s future.
Former Rep. Ashley “Ace” Acedillo, spokesman of the reemerging political party, said the Lacson-Sotto team is strongly committed to this policy.
In a radio DZRH interview on Friday, Jan. 21, Acedillo said the two Senate veterans are hoping all aspirants in the 2022 polls will heed the example they have shown since the duo declared their intention to serve the country.
“Kahit na tayo ay nasa larangan ng pulitika dapat po hindi natin pairalin ang pagbabato ng putik kundi sa halip ay dapat issue at mga problema ang pinag-uusapan. (Even if we are in the field of politics, we must not allow mudslinging to prevail and instead keep our discussions issues-based), Acedillo said in his conversation with broadcast journalist Deo Macalma.
Acedillo noted this request is addressed not only to politicians and public servants serving at the national level, but the local government units as well, when he was asked to comment on the brewing word war between Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and Vice Mayor Iyo Bernardo.
Without necessarily picking a side between the two, Acedillo belied accusations hurled against the younger Sotto and said he is satisfied with his leadership in their city, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when he managed to deliver aid packages or ‘ayuda’ to all families.
“Ako po ay isang residente ng Pasig City at ako po mismo, unang-una, pabubulaanan po ‘yung sinasabi ni... Mawalang galang sa ating vice mayor, ano, hindi po puro palabas ang ating Mayor Vico Sotto, ,” Acedillo said.
“Dito po sa Pasig, ‘yung humihingi at saka ‘yung nangangailangan pareho pong nabibigyan ng ayuda. Sa unang-unang pagkakataon po sa buhay ko, ano... I have lived, sabi ko nga, sa limang siyudad. Ngayon ko lang nasubukan (na makatanggap ng ayuda) ‘nung tumira po ako dito sa Lungsod ng Pasig.[Here in Pasig, whether you ask for it or not, you will receive an aid package. For the first time in my life... I have lived in, as I said, five cities in the past. It was only when I moved here in Pasig City that I got to receive (relief goods from the local government.” the former lawmaker explained.
The elder Sotto also defended his nephew against criticisms from his political rivals. “Mayor Vico is an ideal public servant. The gains of Pasig are as real as Pasigueños attest. Anything said otherwise is ridiculous,” the Senate President and vice presidential candidate wrote on his personal Twitter account on Friday.
Speaking not only as a Pasig City resident but a politically mature Filipino, Acedillo echoed one of the principles espoused by the Lacson-Sotto tandem and encouraged all government officials to go beyond politics in the name of public service, especially this election season.