MANILA, Philippines (Updated 7:49 p.m.) — Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has rejected the nomination of 1Sambayan to become its potential presidential candidate in next year’s elections over disagreements with many of the opposition coalition’s convenors on the highly-contested Anti-Terrorism Act which he shepherded in the Senate. Lacson also declined an invitation by 1Sambayan to be one of the reactors to a town hall meeting on national security and foreign policy. Many of 1Sambayan’s convenors, including Carpio, are petitioners against the Anti-Terrorism Act, which is feared to be used to silence legitimate criticism against the government. “It is my submission that my participation will be construed as a lack of propriety on my end in light of your prior pronouncements suggesting that my representation will be a ‘stumbling block’ on your political endorsements,” Lacson said in his letter. Lacson is mulling whether to retire from politics or run for president again in 2022, with Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III as his vice president.

Source: Philippine Star June 08, 2021 10:07 UTC