On His Second Shot at Presidency, Ping Lacson Takes a Stand on Key National Issues

This article is part of The Beat Asia’s coverage of the Philippines’ 2022 elections. To see the rest of our elections-related stories, click here.

Running under Partido Reporma, Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson is the oldest and one of the most experienced politicians among the top six candidates gunning for the presidential seat. He has more than 40 years of experience spanning law enforcement, lawmaking, and humanitarian work, according to his profile on the Philippine Senate's website. The Cavite-born senator began his career in the police force, where he was notorious for going after criminals and rogue cops and successfully handling some of the country’s most high-profile kidnapping cases. However, his tenure in the PNP was marred by alleged involvement in controversial cases such as the Kuratong Baleleng rubout and the Dacer-Corbito murder. He was cleared of both charges.

Lacson's storied career in the PNP catapulted his political ambitions, specifically in 2001, his first term as senator. His first shot at the presidency was in 2004, where he lost to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. After his loss, Lacson continued his term as senator and won his reelection bid in 2007. 

Now running again for the highest office in the country, Lacson puts the fight against corruption at the center of his campaign. He also vows to reform the national budget and tackle the pandemic using a data- and science-backed strategy.

Based on media reports, press releases, and interviews, here are Lacson’s statements on key issues in the country.   

Corruption

In an interview with journalist Jessica Soho, Lacson identified his anti-corruption drive as one of his top three priorities should he be elected as president in 2022. For the former PNP chief, corruption is the root of poverty and solving this issue alone would address 50% of the country’s problems. He vows to take the first step in promoting transparency in the government by waiving his rights under the Bank Secrecy Act, Inquirer reported on Jan. 18.

A known critic of the pork barrel system, Lacson has lamented the Duterte admin's "selective approach" in fighting corruption.  

Poverty

Lacson wants to "reinvent" the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) by providing sustainable opportunities instead of merely doling out cash. He is also pushing for "uninterrupted Cash-for-Work programs by tapping the corporate social responsibility arms of corporations. At the core of Lacson's poverty program is budget reform, which he said will help enhance the delivery of basic services and create livelihood.

Economy

Solving the COVID-19 crisis is key to rebuilding the economy, according to Lacson, who believes that public health is very much tied to the economy. Aside from preventing the further spread of the virus by mass vaccination and testing, he also pledges to draw up stimulus packages for pandemic-hit small businesses, prioritize farmers and fisherfolks, and improve tax collection.

COVID-19 Response

Lacson, who openly criticized the Duterte administration's "reactive" response to the pandemic, said all COVID-19 policy decisions should be hinged on science and data. He said in October 2021 that there could be a better approach than lockdowns, which he said have been ineffective in preventing COVID-19. Like other candidates, Lacson calls on aggressive mass testing, contact tracing, and booster shots. He also supports vaccination of minors aged 5 to 11.

West Philippine Sea

Lacson supports a 60-40 joint venture with other countries in exploring energy resources in the West Philippine Sea as he believes his own country lacks technical and financial resources to explore by itself. He said the Philippines' foreign policy must be based on the nation's national interest "but directed at strengthening our alliances with equally powerful countries like China."

Political dynasty

In 2019, Lacson filed Senate Bill 30 that prohibits political dynasties. Under this bill, which remains pending in the legislative committee level, violating the anti-political dynasty law is treated as an election offense that is punishable with up to six years in jail and disqualification from public office. 

"We hear all kinds of arguments for or against political dynasties. There is one simple, valid reason against it - the 1987 Constitution prohibits it as a state policy," he tweeted in May 2019.

Lacson’s son, Jay, ran and lost in the vice governor race in Cavite in 2013, Ping’s last year in his second term as senator.

Insurgency

A Lacson presidency will tackle insurgency through “localized peace talks” as the senator believes local government units are more capable to address the needs of rebels in different areas under the supervision of the national government, according to the senator. Lacson co-authored the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which ultimately aims to end terrorism in the country by going after terror-financing groups and criminalizing acts that the government deems as terrorist activities. Human rights advocates said the law’s vague definition of terrorism makes it prone to abuse and curbs freedom of speech and expression of dissent.

Death Penalty

Once a staunch supporter of capital punishment, Lacson has now shifted his stance on death penalty after a Netflix movie “awakened” his view on the controversial issue. “I was awakened by the fact [that innocent] people can be executed,” Lacson told Soho in an exclusive interview with presidential aspirants in January.

Same-Sex Marriage

In a yes-or-no segment in Soho’s interview, Lacson voted “yes” when asked if he will legalize same-sex marriage in the country should he become president. But he followed up with a clarification that he is in favor only of same-sex union but not same-sex marriage before the church.

Divorce

In the same segment, the 73-year-old senator said “yes” to divorce law, one of the two presidential aspirants who agreed to the measure during the Soho interview. In 2019, Lacson proposed a “once in a lifetime” divorce in which the petitioner would not be able to re-marry.

Environmental Concerns

Improved carbon emission testing and reforestation programs are part of Lacson’s plan to address climate change. He is also pushing for responsible mining, which he said is a big industry for the Philippines. “The problem is small- scale mining. Many violations are related to it that’s why the environment is put at risk,” he said in an exclusive interview with TV host Boy Abunda aired in late January.

Fake News  

Lacson is in favor of setting up regulatory frameworks for social media network companies to prevent fake news. He said while individuals have a responsibility to be more discerning, it is also important for the government to have control mechanisms to go after fake news peddlers.