The shape of the current political campaign leading to the May 9, 2022 national elections has changed after presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson on March 24 quit as Partido Reporma standard-bearer.

Lacson, who will now run as an independent. announced this decision during his campaign swing in General Santos City.

He said he is quitting because Partido Reporma party president Pantaleon Alvarez and party secretary general Edwin Jubahib have decided to support another presidential candidate for the 2022 elections.

There are 10 presidential candidates.

"Today, I officially announce my resignation as chairman and member of Partido ng Demokratikong Reporma, which effectively makes me an independent candidate for the presidency in the upcoming May 2022 elections," Lacson said.

Lacson’s vice presidential candidate is Senate President Vicente Sotto, chairman of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

In a statement, Lacson said: "Considering that it is at the behest of these top-tier officials that I was recruited as a member and the party’s standard-bearer and thereafter elected as its chairman, I believe it is only decent and proper — consistent with my time-honored uncompromising principles — to make this decision."

Asked on the presidential candidate Reporma would now support, Lacson said it is better for Partido Reporma itself to make the announcement.

”To Partido Reporma President, former Speaker Alvarez, Secretary-General/Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib — and the rest of the Davao del Norte Reporma candidates — let me tell you this: I harbor no ill-feelings towards you and anyone who may hereafter opt to join them in their new choice of a presidential candidate," he said.

The chairman of the Senate national defense and security committee said he would not leave those who joined Reporma because of his advocacy against corruption.

"I am not leaving you behind. I assure you that I will be your leader and supporter in our shared convictions and aspirations. Magkakasama pa rin tayo sa laban na ito. Tulad ng paulit-ulit kong sinasabi, tuloy ang laban hanggang sa dulo! (We are still one in our fight. As i have repeatedly said, we will fight to the end),’’ Lacson said.

Now that he is running as an independent, Lacson said he is "more relieved than disappointed", adding that he is used to working independently.

Lacson took his oath as chairman of Partido Reporma on July 29 last year, saying his advocacies — people’s sovereignty and democracy, decentralization and devolution of powers — are aligned with those of the party.