Presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson on Saturday, April 9 accepted the apology of House Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza and said that he was willing to share his vice presidential bet, Senate President Vicente Sotto, as the common candidate with Atienza’s presidential candidate, Senator Manny Pacquiao.
Lacson thanked Atienza for having the humility to make a public apology which is not an easy thing for Atienza to do. He thus doffed his hat to him.
The apology of Atienza was revealed Friday during a media forum at Kamuning Bakery Cafe in Quezon City, the same venue where Lacson and his vice presidential running mate, Sotto, were interviewed Saturday on their possible solutions to the problems besetting the Filipino people.
Atienza is willing to withdraw from the electoral race and hopes for Sotto to become the running mate of his poll partner Pacquiao.
He said that was the sole reason why he earlier suggested for Lacson to withdraw from the election race but Atienza expressed admiration for the character and leadership of Lacson.
After accepting Atienza’s public apology, Lacson offered another alternative proposal---he announced that he is willing to share Sotto as his common candidate with Pacquiao, if Atienza really plans to withdraw.
Lacson then publicly invited both Pacquiao and Atienza to join them at their supporters’ rally at Quezon Memorial Circle, where they could all jointly proclaim the new unique team-up of Sotto being the common vice presidential candidate of both Lacson and Pacquiao.
Atienza recently underwent an operation for his bad knees.
He said that a change in the configuration of presidential and vice presidential teams could dramatically change the dynamics of the election. He believed that an adjustment could change the election trend and results.
Lacson and Sotto said that they are both persevering with their nationwide campaign.
They offer themselves to the country as “the most experienced and the most qualified” presidential and vice presidential team for the May 9 election.
The two lamented that some voters are being swayed by surveys. They reiterated their belief that the Filipino voters should still decide wisely based on their convictions and conscience on May 9
These surveys, according to Lacson, are ‘’our misfortune".
In the latest poll survey, former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., kept his lead that placed him miles away from his rivals.
Vice President Leni Robredo is at far second followed by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Pacquiao. Lacson is fifth.