Lacson: It’s God’s will that I run for mayor Juliet Labog-Javellana Inquirer
November 14, 2006
NOW IT IS Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson who has received a sign from God.
After going through what he said were “restless days and sleepless nights,” Lacson --Malacañang’s longtime nemesis -- yesterday announced he would gun for the post of mayor of Manila in next year’s local elections.
Forsaking possibly another six-year term in the Senate, the Caviteño known for his tough image as a former national police chief has even come up with a campaign battle cry.
And that is to bring HOPE (Health, Order, Progress and Education) to the country’s premier city and its roughly 2 million people.
Lacson also promised to bust corruption and change the dole-out culture that has ruined local politics.
Some advisers said that if Lacson proved his worth as Manila mayor, this would be his ticket to an eventual shot at the presidency.
Lacson’s announcement sets the stage for what could be a toe-to-toe battle in May 2007 with Alfredo Lim, another opposition senator, a former Manila mayor himself and, like Lacson, a former police officer whose iron-fist dealings with criminals had earned him the nickname “Dirty Harry.”
Lim has also said he will run for Manila mayor. About half a dozen other politicians or political neophytes have signified their hopes of also becoming the city mayor.
In a country where religion and superstition sometimes, if not often, blend, Lacson has become the latest of a number of politicians who claim to have heard God’s voice.
Months before the 2004 elections, then Senator Noli de Castro attributed to God his decision to run for the vice presidency.
In September 2003, after an audience with the Pope, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo hinted that her plans of running for a second term were in line with God’s will.
Turning to prayer
Lacson made his announcement at the Manila Hotel in the presence of key supporters, including Representatives Rolex Suplico (Iloilo), Ronaldo Zamora (San Juan), Alan Peter Cayetano (Pateros-Taguig) and Teofisto Guingona III (Bukidnon), and advisers Lito Banayo and Ermin Garcia.
“After several restless days and sleepless nights of trying to figure out which is the better way to go in the coming May 2007 elections, not necessarily for myself … but for the public service that I can render to our country, I finally arrived at a decision to run for mayor in the city of Manila,” Lacson said.
Divine sign
He added: “When it becomes extremely difficult to arrive at a decision because of diverse choices, because you’re simply right in the middle of it, you turn to prayer and wait for a sign and take it as God’s will. Believe it or not, this is what happened to me in the past few days.”
Lacson said the “divine sign” came to him in the form of an unexpected call from a “man of the cloth.” He declined to name him but sources said it was a prominent bishop.
“One day, I got a call from a man of the cloth whom I respect so highly so that night, I said if I talked to him I will tell him the pros and cons (of running for mayor),” he said.
“He gave me advice that I should go for it, run for mayor, and I took it as God’s will. It’s a very clear sign.”
Lacson said he had yet to decide who would be his running mate, but said he would field a complete ticket as an independent.
No turning back
Lim, for his part, said he would “not reconsider” his decision to run.
“Once I plan on something, I go for it. So he’s (Lacson) welcome. How can I support him when I’m running myself?” he said.
Lim spoke to reporters at the Senate before going over to where Lacson was seated to shake his hand.
“May the best man win,” said Lacson, who admitted Lim was his closest rival in opinion surveys. Being close friends, he and Lim would have a “very decent fight,” he added.
Lacson, 58, unsuccessfully ran for president in 2004.
Still eligible for a second term in the Senate, Lacson expressed disappointment at the slow-paced and compromise-ridden legislative system.
Frustrated with pork
“In the legislature, it’s always the tyranny of numbers,” he said. “My biggest frustration in the legislature is my strong advocacy against pork (barrel). I was hoping majority of my colleagues will follow suit, to sacrifice (their pork) and return the billions to the Treasury.”
Lacson has refused to accept his share of the pork barrel, seen as a major source of kickbacks.
“There are advocacies which you cannot accomplish in the legislature. And I think Manila is a good place to really show how to govern,” Lacson said.
Lacson’s office said surveys showed he would win hands down even if he went against Lim, controversial businessman Mark Jimenez or former first lady Imelda Marcos.
Numbers favor him
His office said an Oct. 12-18 survey by the Philippine Social Research Center showed Lacson leading a field of eight possible candidates.
Lacson got 27 percent; Lim, 19 percent; Jimenez, 16 percent; Vice Mayor Danilo Lacuna, 8 percent; Rep. Jose Hizon, Ali Atienza (son of incumbent Mayor Jose “Lito” Atienza) and Marcos, 7 percent each, and Rep. Rudy Bacani, 4 percent.
The survey said that if the field were narrowed to four candidates, Lacson would get 37 percent; Lim, 25 percent; Lacuna, 18 percent, and Atienza, 10 percent.
His office said Lacson’s chances would be higher in a three-cornered fight -- he would get 48 percent; Lim, 29 percent, and Lacuna, 23 percent.
Asked about the declaration by his staunch critic Mary Rose “Rosebud” Ong that she would also run for Manila mayor to have a face-off with him, Lacson said: “This is a democracy.”
Empowering the people
Asked what he could offer Manila, Lacson said he wanted people empowerment.
“Instead of the mayor or governor being besieged by constituents asking for help to make both ends meet, we should empower the people by flowing back resources of the local government to good use,” he said.
He said local and foreign investors would come to Manila if corruption were eliminated.
Asked what his relationship would be with Malacañang if he made it to City Hall, Lacson said: “I’m not saying I’m prepared to work hand-in-hand with the President or reconcile with her but it doesn’t mean I’ll automatically oppose everything she says.”
Lim would have nothing to lose if he ran for mayor. His term in the Senate expires in 2010 and he could return to the chamber if he loses in Manila.
Malacañang refused to comment on Lacson’s announcement.
“It’s not time to comment on politics,” Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said. With reports from Christine O. Avendaño, Leila B. Salaverria and Inquirer Research
