SENATOR Panfilo Lacson appealed to voters to consider other presidential candidates who are equally worthy of their votes.

Lacson reiterated his disbelief at the presumption that more than half of voters are supporting former Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. who has been leading voter preference surveys.

Lacson and Manila Mayor Francis ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso said the entry of Vice President Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo in the presidential race did not help in giving Filipinos better options.

“It’s not about percentages. Ang message ko lang is kung ayaw ninyo kay Marcos, mamili kayo sa amin. Kung ayaw ninyo kay Robredo, mamili kayo sa amin. Huwag kayong mag-confine ng pamimili sa kanilang dalawa,” the senator said.

“At least 50 percent, more than 50 percent of Filipinos are still Marcos loyalists? I don’t believe so. Baka nga tama ‘yung sinasabi nila na ‘yung negative attitude towards the vice president doon napupunta because ‘yung psyche ng Pilipino lagi sa liyamado, ‘di ba?” he added.

Lacson, Moreno and former Defense Secretary and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales appeared in the press briefing to take a stand against attempts to “subvert democracy” by turning the 2022 presidential elections into a two-way race.

“Kasi tayo mahilig tayo sa liyamado, we’re not looking anymore at the competence. We’re not looking anymore at the qualifications and even the experience of the candidates,” Lacson said.

Lacson, meanwhile, asked his fellow presidential aspirants to respect democracy.

“We’re not asking anybody to withdraw. Ayaw rin namin na mananawagan sila na mag-withdraw kami, ano, in the same manner. So, ‘yon, gusto ko lang i-correct ‘yung impression. Baka mamaya merong impression na itong press con is all about telling the vice president to withdraw
— no, not at all,” Lacson said in an ambush interview with reporters after the press conference.

Lacson said that he and running mate Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III are determined to finish the race.

“Just because dalawa lang ‘yung parating napag-uusapan, nai-itsapwera ‘yung ibang choices, ‘yung ibang options. And that is also one of the main reasons why we are here. To remind our people that there are other candidates running equally qualified, equally competent, if not more competent, if not more qualified,” he added.