Former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said he appreciates how people regard him as a top senatorial candidate in the recent Pulse Asia and Social Weather Station surveys, but is now determined to convince the electorate that he is deserving of higher office.
The former rehabilitation czar said he is open to changing his tactics to let the people know he can run for a higher position in government and not just for senator.
Earlier, Lacson revealed interest in seeking presidency in the May 2016 elections, but that his final plan would depend on the “numbers or surveys.”
In the Pulse Asia survey, he received the highest voting preference for senator with 67.4 percent with incumbent Sen. Vicente Sotto III placing second with 63.4 percent.
In an interview over radio station DZBB, Lacson said he has no doubts about his desire to return to public office but admitted his performance in the surveys may turn off campaign donors who will support him for president.
If that’s the case, the former senator said he would have to intensify his “campaign” to get his message across and for his advocacy to “resonate with the people.”
“My desire to be president is still there… but we need to be realistic. As I’ve said, we must be more of a realist than a dreamer,” Lacson said in the radio interview.
“Because if you already know you’re not acceptable for that position or if your advocacies or message failed to resonate with your aspiration to be president, then why push yourself to run for a position you’re not likely to win?” he pointed out.
He said he is meeting with his supporters to check what went wrong with his message.
“I think the problem is that my message is not connecting with the people on why I am aspiring to run for president. So that’s what we are studying right now,” Lacson said.
“But the reality in politics, I think some of my political ad sponsors will back out but there are still some who are willing to help me not because they know I can win but because they have trust in me,” he said.
Asked if President Aquino has called him to a meeting the same way he did with Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Lacson said no and added that he believes he will not be asked to go to Malacañang.
MANILA BULLETIN
