Senator-elect Panfilo Lacson has publicly expressed his support for Vicente Sotto III as the next Senate President in the 20th Congress, emphasizing Sotto’s proven leadership in the Upper Chamber.
“For me, it is clear. He is my friend and colleague, and I have experienced his leadership firsthand. Therefore, I can candidly say that I will vote for Sen. Sotto,” Lacson stated.
He acknowledged that both Sotto and the incumbent Senate President Francis Escudero, who are both considered contenders for the position, are competent and qualified to lead the Senate.
Lacson was the running mate of Sotto in the 2022 Presidential Elections.
Additionally, Lacson is preparing for the possibility of serving as a senator-judge if the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte extends into the 20th Congress. He affirmed that his decision will be based solely on the evidence presented by both the prosecution and defense.
“Not even the statement from President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., indicating that he does not want the Vice President impeached, will influence my mindset. I will focus on the weight of the evidence,” Lacson said.
Meanwhile, Lacson believes that Police Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III deserves to be appointed as the new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) due to his decisive nature and mission-oriented approach.
“From what I have heard and observed about him, he is a decisive, firm, and mission-oriented official, so he deserves to be appointed as chief of the PNP,” he remarked.
Torre is set to take over the position during a turnover of command on June 2 and will succeed General Rommel Marbil, who is scheduled to retire on June 7.
