Ping Lacson resigns from Partido Reporma to run as independent candidate, says party will endorse another candidate

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson will now run as an independent candidate for the 2022 presidential elections after resigning from his political party Partido Reporma.

The presidential aspirant announced the news in a press briefing on Thursday, March 24. “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,” he said.

Without naming names, Lacson revealed that the party will endorse another presidential candidate in the polls. 

Lacson said he bears no grudges toward the party officials of Partido Reporma for opting to support another candidate.

In a statement after Lacson's press conference, Partido Reporma president Pantaleon Alvarez said they will be supporting the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo.

"We need a leader. And for the 2022 Presidential elections, given all these considerations and the crisis we have to overcome, that leader is a woman. Her name is Leni Robredo," Alvarez said in a statement.

JUST IN: Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez endorses Vice President Leni Robredo for president. #BilangPilipino2022 pic.twitter.com/Uif3DVGq1y

— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) March 24, 2022

On Tuesday, March 22, Lacson denied claims that he and his running mate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III will withdraw from the May 2022 polls. He wrote in a Facebook post: “Isang malaking kasinungalingan! Tuloy po tayo at walang atrasan!” 

Lacson filed his certificate of candidacy for president on Oct. 6. He also ran for the same position in 2004, but lost to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.