Ping Lacson seeks Senate comeback

MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is seeking a return to the Senate after filing his certificate of candidacy on Wednesday, October 2. 

Lacson is running under the administration slate of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.— whom he ran against in the 2022 presidential elections. 

Despite this, Marcos spoke highly of Lacson during the ‘Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas’ Convention at the Philippine International Convention Center on September 26. 

“Ito naman ay isang officer and a gentleman na tapat at buong tapang na naglingkod ng lampas limang dekada sa taumbayan. Anuman ang kanyang sasabihin at gagawin, ito ay laging nakaangkla sa motto ng kanyang alma mater – Courage. Integrity. Loyalty,” Marcos said. 

(Here is an officer and a gentleman that has been honest and bravely served the public for the past fifty years. No matter what he says or does, it is anchored in the motor of his alma mater – Courage. Integrity. Loyalty.) 

“Courage. Integrity. Loyalty” is the motto of the Philippine Military Academy, where Lacson graduated. Lacson was the former chief of the Philippine National Police from 1991 to 2001.

Lacson has had two consecutive Senate terms and one non-consecutive term in 2016. He ran for president twice, first in 2004 and then in 2022. 

Some notable measures Lacson has filed include the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, the National ID Law, Anti-Hazing Law of 2018, and more.