PINANGALANAN na ni presidential bet at Senator Panfilo Lacson ang sinasabi niyang middleman na kumausap sa kanya upang umatras sa kandidatura at suportahan si Vice President Leni Robredo.

“Last March 12, former Quezon City Mayor Brigido ‘Jun’ Simon Jr. approached me in Pampanga to ask me to withdraw from the presidential race,” pahayag ni Lacson.

Sa salaysay ni Lacson, sinabi ni Simon sa kanya na kaya nilang kumbinsihin ni Senador Kiko Pangilinan na umatras sa halalan upang bigyang-daan ang tambalan nina Robredo at Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

“But I cut him off right there and told him, ‘I am not withdrawing. May usapang lalaki kami ni SP Sotto na magkasama kami all the way.’,” sabi ni Lacson.

Idinagdag pa ng senador kay Simon na dalawang beses na siyang tinangkang kausapin ni Robredo para sa unification subalit lumabas na ito ay para lamang sa bise presidente.

Sinabi pa ni Lacson na ilang besee pang nakipag-appointment sa kanya ang dating alkalde.

“The former mayor kept asking for an appointment a number of times, purportedly in relation to my campaign. I did not respond as I wasn’t sure what the agenda was, not to mention that I do not know him that well and I was busy campaigning,” aniya.

Muling tiniyak ng senador na hindi siya aatras sa halalan.

“Again: I am not withdrawing. Even if I am left running on one leg, I will finish the race. Even if I am crippled, I will crawl to finish the race,” pagbibigay-diin ni Lacson.