Lacson, Sotto gain support in Mindanao

 Lacson, Sotto gain support in Mindanao

HUNDREDS of political leaders from Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon voiced support for the presidential bid of Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson and his running mate and longtime ally Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto 3rd in the 2022 elections.

Lacson is the chairman of the Partido Reporma party while Sotto heads the Nationalist People's Coalition.

Lacson's camp said the tandem's new allies took their oath of support last week in Opol, Misamis Oriental before Partido Reporma president and reelectionist Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon "Bebot" Alvarez.

A similar ceremony took place in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental where a total of 144 leaders and supporters swore their allegiance to the party.

   

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They committed help to organize widespread ground campaign activities for the Lacson-Sotto ticket, the senator's office said on Monday in a statement.

Alvarez has been dividing his time between Luzon and Mindanao, recently, to gather more advocates who would rally behind Lacson and Sotto.

Both candidates were running under the political mantra of reforming the national government through village empowerment.

On October 26, Alvarez met with Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rolando "Klarex" Uy and reelectionist City Councilor Romeo Calizo, a retired general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to discuss a possible alliance.

Uy used to be a stalwart for the Liberal Party, but defected to the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in 2016. He is currently running for mayor in Cagayan de Oro City after serving three consecutive terms in the House of Representatives.

Alvarez has been credited by his party mates for almost single-handedly dismantling PDP-Laban forces in his home province of Davao del Norte.

At present, active membership for Partido Reporma stands at nearly 10,000 and counting.

Alvarez has been working closely with Partido Reporma secretary-general Edwin Jubahib, the incumbent governor of Davao del Norte, to further expand their party's presence in Mindanao and strengthen support for the Lacson-Sotto tandem in the region.