IMUS CITY, Cavite – Senator Panfilo Lacson encouraged voters not to elect thieves who are running for government positions during his proclamation rally at the Imus Grandstand on Tuesday (Feb. 8).
Lacson kicked off his presidential campaign in his hometown and called on his fellow Caviteños to support him and his running mate Senate President Vicente Sotto III in the upcoming elections.
During his speech, Lacson said there are two kinds of thieves in the country – the ordinary robbers and thieves in the government.
"Ang magnanakaw na ordinaryo, namimili ng kanilang nanakawan at kanilang nanakawin (The ordinary thieves choose their victims and the things they are going to steal)," Lacson said.
"'Yung magnanakaw sa gobyerno, walang pinipili 'yun. Walang pinipiling nanakawin, ang nanakawin nun 'yung kinabukasan nang ating mga kabataan (Thieves in the government don't choose their victims and what they are going to take. They steal the future of the next generation)."
According to Lacson, thieves in the government take away the citizens' right to good education, healthcare, infrastructure, and livelihood projects.
"Ang problema, tayo pa ang namimili sa mga nagnanakaw sa atin. Bakit? Ibinoboto natin sila (The problem is, we even choose those who will steal from us. Why? Because we vote for them)," Lacson added.
He said he is proud to say that he and Sotto have never taken bribes throughout their decades of public service.
"Hindi namin ipinagpipilitan ang aming sarili, pero piliin natin. Kasi ang magsa-suffer, tayo (We're not forcing you to choose us, but let us choose wisely. Because all of us will suffer the consequences)," Lacson said.
"Isang araw lang tayo magiging hari. Isang araw lang tayo mamimili ng mamumuno sa atin (We will be kings only for one day. We only have one day to choose who will lead us)."