ILOILO CITY -- Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson stood firm that he has no reason to apologize to Vice President Leni Robredo.
“I have nothing to apologize for because I did not join the call for VP Leni to withdraw,” said Lacson on the sidelines of his campaign in Estancia town, Iloilo province on Tuesday, April 19.
Lacson made the statement in reaction to the public apology issued by former defense secretary Norberto Gonzales for the comments made by Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso that Robredo should withdraw from the presidential race.
Lacson was one of the three presidential candidates who joined a press conference last Easter Sunday at the Manila Peninsula Hotel wherein Domagosa made the comment.
“I want to make it clear: There was no call for anyone to withdraw and there is no call for any of us to withdraw,” Lacson said.
“I detest for a call for withdrawal as it has happened to me before,” said Lacson, citing an earlier call Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza, who initially contemplated of withdrawing as the running mate of vice presidential candidate of Senator Manny Pacquiao and pushing Lacson’s running mate, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, to become Pacquiao’s running mate.
“If I detest any call for withdrawal, why would I do that?” Lacson added.
Lacson pointed out that he just presented the facts of what happened to him before during the joint press conference.
He reiterated that the Manila mayor’s stand was his own and not his.
From Iloilo, Lacson is going to Aklan province.