Partido Reporma chairman and standard bearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and his running mate, Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) chairman Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, strengthened their formidable hold in Central Visayas following their barnstorming “Online Kumustahan” tour of Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Northern Samar over the weekend.
With enthusiastic receptions by residents and local leaders in Cebu City, Naga City (Cebu), Dumaguete City, and Catarman from Friday to Sunday, the Lacson-Sotto tandem brought their platform of governance closer to the people in dialogues that gave hope to solving the myriad problems of the country once they are elected following the 2022 national polls.
In Cebu, the Partido Reporma-NPC leaders received the tacit support of influential businessman Winston Garcia, brother of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and head of the 150,000-strong Court of First Instance (CFI) Community Cooperative.
“Talaga namang mukhang nakuha na ng Lacson-Sotto tandem ang Cebu dahil narinig mismo natin na nagsabi si Winston Fiel Garcia na susuportahan ang tambalan nila,” Partido Reporma treasurer Arnel Ty said following the meeting with the scion of the eminent Garcia clan.
[It really looks like the Lacson-Sotto tandem got Cebu because we heard it from Winston Fiel Garcia himself that he will support their team.]
The same situation was evident in Negros Oriental because Sotto himself said in a press conference in Dumaguete that Lacson and himself would be the official presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the NPC in the province, along with Partido Reporma senatorial bets Gen. Guillermo Eleazar and Dr. Minguita Padilla.
“I, as national chairman (of NPC), and (Rep.) Chiquiting Sagarbarria as the provincial chairman—we already informed our party mates that in Negros Oriental we are endorsing Senator Ping Lacson as our presidential candidate,” said the current Senate President, who is leading surveys for the vice presidency.
Meanwhile, National Unity Party (NUP) chairman and former Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno guaranteed the longtime public servants would corner the province of Northern Samar, which is his party’s stronghold.
Puno is the political strategist and campaign manager of the Lacson-Sotto tandem, while former House Speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez is president of Partido Reporma and wields influence across the wider Visayas and Mindanao regions.
According to Lacson, their “Online Kumustahan” tour in the three provinces was a resounding success as they shared their reform agenda and heard the concerns of different sectors and local government leaders.
“They are very receptive doon sa aming platform, especially ‘yung empowerment ng local government units because, after all, they are based here, so sila rin ‘yung—magiging partners sila sa development and other livelihood programs,” the former national police chief said.
The veteran senators again unveiled their flagship Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) program, which aims to bring down the funds from the national government to local government units (LGU) so local officials can determine their own spending programs and priorities based on their actual needs.
In a tweet after their visit to Dumaguete, Lacson thanked all Visayans who heard, talked to and warmly received him, Sotto, and Partido Reporma’s senatorial bets.
“Thank you, Dumaguete City. You are not known as the ‘City of Gentle People’ for nothing. Spontaneously warm, hospitable and polite. In all sincerity, we enjoyed every single minute spent with you today. Thank you, wonderful Dumagueteños!” he said.
Lacson-Sotto, Partido Reporma strengthen grip on Central Visayas
Source: Philippines Clips
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