Former Executive Secretary Renato de Villa, chairman emeritus and founder of Partido Reporma, on Friday, March 25, threw his support behind the presidential bid of Senator Panfilo ‘’Ping’’ M. Lacson.
‘’As an original indorser of Senator Ping Lacson for President, let me further say: I will stick with Ping and continue to indorse and support him,’’ de Villa, former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff and Defense Secretary, said in a statement distributed by the media staff of Lacson to Senate reporters.
‘’Like a true soldier in combat, i hope that those fighting for him in this political battle will continue the fight and not leave him behind,’’ he added.
‘’As to my position at hand, let me say this: vote for the presidential candidate of your choice, and consider it as your contribution to the establishment of an honest and competent government that can bring about a better future for our beloved country,’’ de Villa stressed.
Both de Villa and Lacson. are Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduates. De Villa served as PMA commandant.
De Villa’s support meant he does not favor the decision of former Speaker Pantaleon ‘’Bebot’’ Alvarez, Partido Reporma president, to withdraw his support for Lacson.
After Lacson announced his resignation as chairman and as a member of Partido Reporma in a surprise turn of political events yesterday, Alvarez later announced that he was supporting Vice President Leni Robredo.
Alvarez also threw his support behind the vice presidential bid of Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, Lacson’s running mate.
In his statement, de Villa said:
‘’Many members and supporters of the former Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma (Reporma) are asking what happened to the Party yesterday...why Sen Ping Lacson resigned as Party Chairman and Cong Bebot Alvarez as Party President announced that Partido Reporma is indorsing VP Leni Robredo as its new candidate for President.
‘’Ping, as a man of honor and courage, very clearly explained in a press statement why he had to resign as Chairman of the party.
‘’On the other hand, Cong(ressman) Bebot Alvarez talked about the developing “electoral terrain in 2022” apparently as the reason for Partido Reporma Secretary General Governor Jubahib of Davao Norte and his followers, and for himself, why they are shifting their support from Ping to VP Leni.
‘’For my part as Chaiman Emeritus of the new Partido Reporma, I must admit that I was taken by surprise on the events yesterday as I had no inking that such an unfortunate scenario would happen to our new party.
‘’Obviously, i cannot do anything about it anymore as I consider both Ping and Bebot as mature politicians and capable of making decisions based on personal conviction.
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