Independent presidential candidate Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said poverty would no longer be considered a hindrance for the underprivileged student, who is dreaming to become a doctor, if more Filipinos will bet on him as the next leader of the nation in the upcoming May 9, 2022 elections.

This is because he and Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III plan to effectively implement Republic Act 11509, or the "Doctor Para sa Bayan Act," should they both successfully win in the upcoming May polls.

Lacson reminded people about the existing law during a town hall meeting with the residents of Bangued, Abra on Tuesday, April 26, encouraging them to take advantage of the benefits of this law, which President Duterte signed on December 23, 2020.

‘’This is already signed into law by the President. If you or your children want to study medicine, the matriculation fee is free—free tuition, including board and lodging, plus allowance—this is already a law for your information,’’ Lacson said.

According to Lacson, the "Doktor Para sa Bayan Act" might be extended to students who already took pre-medicine courses in college, such as nursing or medical technology, and are determined to pursue a career path as a doctor. They may continue their studies in state universities and colleges (SUCs).

‘’This is free in state universities and colleges. If there is no SUC in your area, they can enroll in a private university, and that is also free of charge. But if there is an SUC that offers courses on medicine, and the student enrolled in it to become a doctor, he will incur no expenses. And it’s already a law,’’ he added.

Lacson aims to promote the "Doktor Para sa Bayan Law" under his leadership as well as Republic Act 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, for the benefit of students, who come from less fortunate family backgrounds, but want to pursue undergraduate degrees in college.

Apart from these programs, the Lacson-Sotto tandem will also push for a paid internship program for college undergraduate students, so they can also contribute financially to their household income while they are still in school.

Lacson and Sotto are campaigning on the platforms of good governance and anti-corruption as encapsulated in their primary slogan "Aayusin ang Gobyerno para maging Maayos ang Buhay ng Bawat Pilipino" (Fix the Government, Improve the Lives of Every Filipino).

The veteran statesman and former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief intends to deliver quality state-funded public service programs to facilitate the upward mobility of poverty-stricken Filipinos, especially those who were badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and randomly victimized by all kinds of corruption.