The Lacson-Sotto tandem is still considering the list of its 12-man senatorial slate and to say former Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senator Richard J. Gordon are already removed from its senatorial line up ‘’is totally wrong.’’
This was the statement issued today, Feb. 15 by Vice Presidential candidate Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III following reports that Binay and Gordon had been removed by the tandem.
“I would like to set the record straight and clarify reports that Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senator Dick Gordon have been removed from the senatorial slate of the Lacson-Sotto tandem,’’ Sotto said in his Viber account.
‘’(Presidential candidate) Senator (Panfilo) ‘Ping’ Lacson and I are endorsing 11 senatorial candidates as of the moment at hindi pa kasama dito sina VP Binay at Sen. Gordon (Binay and Gordon are not in the list yet),’’ he added.
He said he and Lacson are still completing the tandem’s ‘’Magic 12’’ (senators).
‘’To say that they were already removed from our line up is totally wrong,’’ he pointed out.
Reacting to reports that he has been dropped from the Lacson-Sotto ticket, Binay said:’’ I never applied to be a guest candidate but I welcomed my inclusion in their ticket.’’
‘’We had a gentleman’s agreement. Walang ieendorso ang guest candidate (no endorsements by guest candidates),’’ Binay said.
‘’I didn’t declare my support for anyone and didn’t attend any event. Lalaki akong kusap (I honor my statement as a man),’’ he added.
Lacson is chairman of Partieo Reporma while Sotto is chairman of Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). Binay represents United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).