PRESIDENTIAL bet Panfilo Lacson called on the Philippine National Police to investigate reports of vote buying and voter terrorism or acts of intimidation that he received.

Lacson revealed this information during a town hall meeting in Bangued, Abra where local government officials and residents personally expressed their concerns on the possible escalation of violence in the province.

“Over lunch I was in a telephone conversation with the top police official not only in Abra, not only in Cordillera Administrative Region, but ‘yung tinatawag nating DIPO,” Lacson said.

“And I asked him to please come over and see for himself the situation here because I already have been told ng problema tungkol sa vote buying, tungkol sa terrorism ng mga botante just what you have shared with us this afternoon,” he added.

Lacson said the PNP official assured him that they will look into these concerns.

He also reiterated his earnest appeal to the electorate of Abra to avoid electing politicians with a history of corruption, deceit and other character traits unworthy of a leader.

“Pagpunta natin sa polling places, isipin na kaagad natin ito bang iboboto natin politician o public servant? It’s about time na ang piliin natin public servant, hindi ‘yung politician dahil ang connotation ng politician lagi tayong pinagsasamantalahan,” he said.

Lacson underscored this message especially to the members of the youth sector who attended his public gathering. He advised them to educate other voters to be more discerning in choosing their next leaders.

“Kayo ‘yung sinabi ni Jose Rizal na hope of the motherland, of the fatherland, so act like one. And, you know, i-educate natin ‘yung maski mas matanda sa atin. Medyo i-educate natin na this is for us, this is not about you anymore, this is about us. And please choose our next leaders, choose our next leaders properly, mag-discern po tayo,” Lacson said.