Members of Partido Reporma in Aklan and Antique continue to support the electoral bids of independent presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson and his vice presidential bet Senate President Vicente Sotto III, even after Lacson had left the party last March.
Lacson met with members of his former party Tuesday evening, April 19 following a town hall session in Kalibo, Aklan. The Reporma members had requested the meeting, he said.
"Kaya kami pumunta ng Aklan and Caluya, meron kaming candidates doon, nag-request sila kung pwedeng puntahan ko sila (This is the reason we were scheduled to visit Aklan and Caluya). Ang Reporma (members), they continue to support me. Sabi nila kaya kami nag-Reporma because of you (Some candidates from Reporma asked for our presence. They continue to support me. They told me they joined Reporma because of me)," he said.
Lacson emphasized that their support meant much to him, adding it further emboldened him and Sotto to continue with their campaign until the end.
"No retreat. No surrender. No withdrawal!" He said.
Last March, Lacson announced he was leaving Reporma after its president, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez decided to shift support to another candidate. Many Reporma members at the time bolted the party to stick with Lacson.
On Tuesday, Lacson campaigned in Estancia (Iloilo) and Kalibo (Aklan) while Sotto was in Dumaguete (Negros Oriental). Both are expected to campaign together in Caluya Island in Antique and in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo on Thursday.
Lacson received a hearty welcome from residents in Estancia, Iloilo upon his arrival there Tuesday morning.
He paid a courtesy call to Estancia Mayor Melina Requinto, who he noted is supporting another candidate but referred to him as "President" after he presented to her and local officials his Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) program.
"She was even egging the barangay chairmen who were present and majority (who were there)," Lacson noted of the mayor.
In Estancia, Lacson personally thanked his supporters and volunteers who chipped in to help residents affected by floods brought by tropical cyclone ‘’Agaton".
He also explained to the audience his proposed BRAVE program, which seeks to ensure funds for local government units from the provincial to the barangay level so they may carry out their priority development projects.
"Yan ang essence ng BRAVE, kayo ang nakakaalam ng needs and priorities (That is the essence of BRAVE. You are the ones who know the needs and priorities of your constituents)," he added.