Pormal nang inanunsyo ni Presidential Aspirant Sen. Ping Lacson na tumatakbo na siya bilang independent candidate sa kanyang naging press conference kaninang umaga, March 24, 2022.
“Today, I officially announce my resignation as chairman and member of Partido ng demokratikong reporma…which effectively makes me an independent candidate for the presidency in the upcoming May 2022 elections,” ani Lacson.
“In the face of this recent developments, allow me to say, like a true blooded warrior that I am always and that all my life I will continue this fight in pursuit of my quest to serve my country and our people. I have no ill feelings towards you, and no matter how short-live our alliance may be, I will keep praying for you and your families. Sa lahat ng mga miyembro at kandidato ng partido reporma, sa labas ng Davao del Norte who joined the Party because of our shared advocacy to fight graft and corruption in pursuit of good governance all for the sake of our beloved country and people, with or without party affiliation, I am not leaving you behind. I assure you that I will be your leader and supporter.”
Nang tanungin si Lacson kung alam na nito kung sino ang bagong ini-endorso ng dati niyang Partido ang kaniyang naging sagot “Yes and I would prefer that it comes from them, I don’t want to tend their announcement. Yung nag-start yung campaign period they’re no longer present on the ground, medyo matagal na ito may mga insinuations na including kung sino na yung gusto nilang i-endorso.”
Nagpahayag din ng saloobin si Vice Presidential Candidate at running mate nito na si Sen. Tito Sotto at Senatorial Candidate Manny Piñol.
“In reaction to this announcement, I would like to make it clear that I am a member of the Nationalist Peoples Coalition so wherever my party goes I will go and beside from that I believe of the advocacy of Sen. Ping Lacson and nothing will change that much,” ani Piñol.
Pahayag naman ni Sotto, “Does not change anything as far as I’m concerned. Well, I’m suprise of the announcement and I was not expecting it. But perhaps if that’s the right thing to do as far as my Presidential Candidate is concerned.”
Dagdag pa ni Lacson alam niya na darating ang araw na ito at hindi na rin umano ito ikinabigla ng Senador.
“Hindi lang insinuations, medyo direct na and back and forth discussion yung nangyari sa amin but alam ko, it was forthcoming, since over a month ago,” ani Sotto.
May mensahe naman si Lacson sa lahat ng mga top officials ng Partido Reporma lalong-lalo na kay former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.
“I harbor no ill-feelings towards you and anyone who may hereafter opt to join them in their new choice of a presidential candidate,” ani Lacson.