Lacson says Churchill, Lee Kuan Yew are his leadership idols

Lacson says Churchill, Lee Kuan Yew are his leadership idols

Partido Reporma chairman and standard bearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson once again revealed sides of his personality rarely seen by the public as he played a “Politicians Word Association” game for the latest episode of iPingTV official video channel on YouTube and Facebook.

Shown portraits of past and present politicians from the Philippines and around the world, and asked to describe them with at least one word, Lacson reserved his highest praises for two foreign former prime ministers—the late Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore and the late Winston Churchill of Great Britain.

“My idol, my role model. I would like to be like him,” Lacson said of Lee, to whom the longtime public servant has been compared favorably by supporters and allies as he aims for the presidency in the 2022 elections.

The three-term senator also said he idolized Churchill, the United Kingdom’s political leader and one of the leading historical figures during World War II, for his “wit, sarcasm, statesmanship, and bravado.”

Lacson also called former chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany a “great woman.” Meanwhile, he shared the following thoughts when asked about Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau: “Don’t throw garbage again. Don’t dump garbage in my country, please.”

The former national police chief’s most withering comments were for Nazi party leader and dictator Adolf Hitler (“I hate that guy, as everybody hates that guy”), and former US President Donald Trump (“Another guy”), whose portraits were shown to Lacson in succession.

As for Trump’s successor, Joe Biden, he said: “I wish him well. I think he means well for his country, and I hope he gets things done, especially in the pandemic.”

For the Philippine presidents, Lacson had shorter answers. Of the late Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Simeon Aquino III–under whose Cabinet he served–the lawmaker said: “Good man.” Of Fidel V. Ramos, his former chief in the Philippine Constabulary, Lacson said: “Economy.”

For Joseph Estrada, who appointed him as Philippine National Police chief, he said: “May he find peace.” And of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Lacson said: “Next please.” Lacson also called the late action star Fernando Poe Jr.—his and Arroyo’s rival in the 2004 presidential elections—a “legend.”

Two current Cabinet members were also shown to the Partido Reporma chief. He uttered the catchphrase “Go, go, go!” for Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. and described Education Secretary Leonor Briones as “budget coach.”

Lacson also called Antique Rep. Loren Legarda—a former Senate colleague who hopes to return to the upper chamber via the May 9, 2022 polls—“macho” and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia “a friend.”

As regards two fellow former police generals, Lacson described Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as “another champion” and to just-retired PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar, he said “welcome”–since the latter had joined Partido Reporma as a senatorial candidate on Lacson’s invitation.

Former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, who is also running for senator, got a “Bistek, very good” comment from Lacson. He gave a “two thumbs up” remark to Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, the nephew of his running mate, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

The two-minute video, shot from Lacson’s favorite ‘bahay kubo’ in his home farm in Imus, Cavite, ended with him describing Cuban icon Che Guevara as a “rebel, revolutionary.” The video has generated thousands of mostly positive reactions and responses from his followers on social media.

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