Why Ping Lacson Over Leni Or Any Other Presidential Candidate

A Jesuit priest asked me this question this morning.  

"Good morning Doc.  Most of my contacts are now opting for Leni.   Would you be willing to share more about your reasons, why Lacson instead of Leni pls?"

below is what i sent him just now.   I hope you will take time to read. Thank you. . Dra. Minguita

Why Ping Lacson Over Leni or any other Presidential Candidate: 

Briefly stated:

1.  He is undoubtedly the most qualified and prepared of them all. The debates and fora have proven this over and over again.   

2. He has a stellar track record in public service unblemished by corruption.  He has been the bane of corrupt officials since he became chief PNP in 1998 up to the present.    He is the only Senator who is not afraid of Janet Lim Napoles as he has not availed of his pork barrel since he realized, after his first year as senator, the corruption imbedded in the system, where as little as 20% of the allocated funds actually goes to the intended project.    Saying “no” to P200 million pork every year and scrutinizing the national budget in order to remove insertions that disguise various forms of thievery, to the displeasure of fellow legislators and even the executive; require a mettle no other candidate has displayed. 

3. Given the situation in the world today, where World War 3 is a possibility and where questions of our sovereignty are important; not only as far as national security is concerned, but also as far as food security and environmental protection is concerned; he has the statesmanship, the military training, the experience, the courage and the steadfastness to lead the country through the coming days and years.  At this point in our history and the history of the world, we cannot afford a president who does not have this combination of qualities.  

4. I don’t doubt the good intentions of the other presidential candidates, but I doubt their ability to serve the country and meet the gargantuan requirements necessary to steer us through the perilous waters of the times.  Only Ping has the combination of qualities needed at this point of our history.   He doesn’t have to rely on advisers, many of whom may have questionable intentions, and many of whom do not even have his experience or insight or instinct, in order to arrive at timely and correct decisions.  He has no physical, mental or psychological infirmities that may render him erratic as far as decision making is concerned.    At this point in his life, he has nothing to prove and no more personal ambition.  He has told me in private that the only thing that can be deemed “selfish” in this quest for the presidency is the hope that he can leave behind a legacy of bringing the Philippines to a much better place than when he started as president; a place where Filipinos can hold their heads high and the next generation can hope for a much brighter future.  This can only be done through tough leadership by example; the kind that can stand up to criticism and pressure to “fit in”; the kind of leadership that is willing to stay the course even if it is a very lonely place.  This has been proven by his life; even by the persecution from powerful persons that he has had to suffer because he chose to live by his principles.   

5. A Leni presidency will very likely lead to continuous strife because there will be protests from the Marcos camp.  The cycle of vindictiveness and hate between two warring families should end.   Ping is not a member of a political dynasty.  He is not “hated” by any of the parties.  He has the respect of all candidates.

6. We are staying the course and not giving up the race despite what the surveys report.   We have been going around the country, and the very warm response of the people on the ground belie the so called “survey results”.   There is also a very high percentage of “soft support” for Ping lacson.  This is from 40 to 50% of voters who believe that Ping is the best of the candidates but are just afraid to vote for him because “he will not win.”  “sayang ang boto”. That is such a defeatist attitude.   Then there are also 30% undecided.  We owe it to our people to give them the best alternative up to the very last.  We may still see the awakening of the magma underneath the volcano. Who knows, people may still be jolted by realities and conscience. 

                                 Thank you for giving me the chance to explain "why Ping?"