Much like his father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte according to former senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson exercised "wise and smart politics" with her recent announcement to get "a glimpse of the pulse of the electorate."
He was referring to the Vice President's recent disclosure that the former president, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte are all gunning for a Senate seat.
"The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Like the father, the daughter believes that part of wise and smart politics is to confuse and keep them guessing; create an issue that evokes discourse thus accomplishing awareness while getting a glimpse of the pulse of the electorate," the veteran lawmaker said.
"That said, I don’t think there is any firm decision made by any of the three Dutertes," he added.
The Vice President shared the information in an interview in Cagayan de Oro City where she hosted the annual OVP Pride Reception.
“Lahat silang raring na tumakbo eh—PRRD, senator. Iyong kuya ko, si Paolo Duterte, iyong congressman ngayon, senator. Si Sebastian Duterte (All of them are raring to run—PRRD, senator. My older brother, Paolo Duterte, the congressman now, also senator. Sebastian Duterte, too),” she told reporters.
“Yes, tatlo ang Duterte next year for senator (Yes, there will be three Dutertes next year as senator),” she stressed when asked if her pronouncement was a confirmation.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) with the upcoming May 2025 polls, Lacson said that the public might see in the Senate three Duterte's, three Tulfo's (Raffy, Ben, Erwin), two Villar’s (Mark, Camille), two Cayetano’s (Alan Peter, Pia), two Ejercito-Estrada’s (Jinggoy, JV).
"And the list goes on… because it is what it is - by the people, for the people, of the people," he said.
When asked by a netizen if it's time for two Lacsons through his son Panfilo “Pampi” Lacson Jr. and his grandson Panfilo "Thirdy" Lacson III, his reply was "Haha. No way."