Lacson backs out of presidential race
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 06/05/2009 6:41 PM
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Senator Panfilo Lacson has decided not to join the presidential elections in 2010.
In an interview with Lynda Jumilla of ABS-CBN News, Lacson cited lack of funds as the main reason why he is no longer aspiring for the presidency.
"Hindi na....Main reason is financial," he told ABS-CBN News.
As a result, Lacson said he will no longer join the ABS-CBN News Channel's (ANC) presidential forum starting at 7 pm Friday night with four other aspirants.
Lacson was supposed to be at the ANC forum with former President Joseph Estrada, Senator Loren Legarda, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando.
Aside from the economic crisis, Lacson acknowledged it will be very hard for him to raise funds, especially for a candidate who is lagging behind in the presidential surveys.
Based on Pulse Asia surveys, Lacson's ratings declined by 9 percent from October 2007 to May 2009.
In the May 2009 survey, Lacson was preferred by only 4% of respondents. He was behind six other presidential aspirants and tied with Binay.
Good for opposition
Meanwhile, former President Estrada said he was surprised by Lacson's decision to back out of the race, although he admitted this will be good for the political opposition.
Support for Lacson will likely benefit the other opposition candidates.
Estrada said he doubts lack of campaign funds is the reason behind Lacson's decision.
He said the return of former police officer Cezar Mancao to the Philippines, so he can pin down and testify against Lacson in the murders in 2000 of publicist Salvador Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito, may have something to do with Lacson's decision.
Estrada said Lacson is a victim of political persecution.
He claimed to have received information that the administration will also go after the other opposition candidates.
Meanwhile, Carina Dacer, daughter of the slain publicist, welcomed Lacson's decision not to run in 2010. She said this will give him time to focus on the double murder case.
Dacer said Lacson should not link the case to politics since it is not true that the double murder case is politically-motivated.
She said Lacson should not make it appear that he is a victim in the double murder case.
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