Despite being men of stature, Partido Reporma standard-bearer Panfilo "Ping" Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto willingly submitted themselves to regular health and safety protocols when they arrived in Baguio city Thursday evening, Feb. 17 for a two-day visit.

In a press briefing with Manila-based reporters covering their campaign trail late Friday, Lacson and Sotto said they have no problem going through the checkpoints and triage procedures implemented by the local government to screen its guests as a matter of policy amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

While both senators have close professional ties with Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Lacson said he saw no need to bother his former subordinate about giving them special treatment owing to their friendship because he knows he is also a disciple of his "no double standard" rule.

Lacson, chairman of the Senate National Defense and Security Commitee, was a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.

“Last night when we arrived, medyo (a bit) late in the evening, I went through the—‘yung sa (process of) triage, ano, doon sa (there at the) BCC (Baguio Convention Center). Nandiyan, meron naman kaming record niyan (We have our records there),” the presidential candidate said Friday.

“E ako, kung tutuusin, pwede akong makiusap sa kanya ‘Benjie, patawarin mo na lang ako, baka pwedeng dumiretso na' (In my case, I know I could have appealed to him ‘Benjie, forgive me, but perhaps you can allow us to go straight ahead'). Nahihiya ako kasi alam ko isa lang standard niya rito (I felt embarrassed because I know he also has only one standard here). At kung maglakas man ako ng loob na makiusap, alam ko sasabihin niya rin sa akin, ‘Sir, pasensya na, kasi may health protocol na dapat sundin. Dapat mag-undergo (And even if I could muster up the courage to do that, I knew what he was going to say to me: ‘Sir, I’m sorry, but we have a health protocol to follow. You need to undergo ),’’ Lacson noted.

Instead of complaining about the strict guest screening protocols of Baguio City, Lacson even commended Magalong for faithfully subscribing to the "leadership by example" doctrine, which they both learned from their beloved alma mater—the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

“Only one standard. Kasi kaya naloloko rin ‘yung governance ‘pag nag-impose ka ng double standards—para bang ‘pag kaibigan mo, kakilala mo, iba standard kaysa doon sa hindi mo kakilala—you will never succeed pagka ganoon ( only one standard. Because one reason governance gets messed up is when you impose double standards—like you have a certain standard when it comes to your friends or the people you know and another for strangers—you will never succeed if you keep it that way),’’ Lacson said.

“Pinag-aralan namin ito sa (We have learned this in our ) -in-service trainings sa (at) PMA—leadership by example. It is second to none, actually. Walang (There is no) substitute diyan (to it). I always repeat that a leader who wants to succeed must lead by example,” he stressed.

Magalong said both Lacson and Sotto are regular guests in Baguio City and they have always complied with their mandatory health and safety protocols for all visitors regardless of status. The city is currently placed under Alert Level 2 or moderate risk for COVID-19.

Lacson and Sotto are in town to engage stakeholders from the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector in a dialogue organized by the Rotary Club of Baguio City at the Newtown Plaza Hotel, where they also presented their platforms of anti-corruption and good governance and explained how beneficial they can be for the country moving forward.

Lacson is also scheduled to accept a "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the PMA during their annual alumni homecoming and parade ceremony Saturday, Feb. 19 at the Borromeo Field in Fort General Gregorio del Pilar for his valuable contributions in government and public service.