Senatorial aspirant and longtime public health advocate Dr. Minguita Padilla on Friday said she has no plans of withdrawing her support to presidential candidate Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson despite his departure from Partido Reporma.
Padilla, in a live video shared on her official Facebook page, said she values their friendship more than partisan politics.
She also said she supports Lacson due to their shared advocacies and principles, saying she joined the political party of Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez because of Lacson, who invited her to be part of his senatorial slate.
According to her, they have been friends for many years and have worked together to push for reform-oriented legislations for the benefit of the public health sector.
“I will just keep supporting Senator Lacson whatever it is he decides to do. And so, right now, I’m not changing. Hindi ako nag-iiba ng aking presidente. Kay Senator Ping Lacson pa rin ako kasi hindi naman siya umaatras sa pagka-presidente (I will just keep supporting Senator Lacson whatever it is he decides to do),” Padilla stated.
“And so, right now, I’m not changing. I am not switching to any presidential candidate. I am still for Senator Ping Lacson because he is not withdrawing from the presidential race),” she said.
On Thursday, Lacson decided to resign from Partido Reporma after its leadership decided to support the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo.
After his announcement, former Makati representative Monsour Del Rosario, one of the senatorial candidates of the Lacson-Sotto tandem, toed the line and expressed his support also to Robredo.
But Padilla, the Eye Bank founder and medical practitioner, said she and Lacson shared many advocacies and principles, especially on their stand against corruption.
At this point in the election period where politicians are showing their true colors, the doctor said she has no reason to betray her friend.
“Malungkot ako na nangyari ito pero naiintindihan ko rin. Hindi ako nagagalit, wala akong poot (I am sad over what happened but I also understand it. I am not mad; I don’t feel hatred) or anything like that in my heart. I understand the realities but I will continue to support my presidential candidate,” she stressed.