THE schoolmates of presidential candidate Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), including those who worked with him during his stint at the Philippine National Police (PNP), showed up in Tarlac City to express their all-out support for his candidacy.

Lacson campaigned in the province, Monday (April 25), together with his running mate Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III and senatorial aspirant Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Piñol. The three of them also engaged the electorate in a dialogue held at the Tarlac State University.

In his speech, Lacson acknowledged the presence of his mistahs from the PMA as well as his former staff members, including retired police Gen. Nicanor ‘Nic’ Bartolome, who served as his spokesperson when he was still PNP Chief.

Also present were retired Major Generals Rey Acop, Ray Rivera and Dong Tabamo, who went with his wife Consul General Lulu Tabamo. Lacson likewise mentioned retired colonel turned lawyer Oscar Martinez, who was their valedictorian at the PMA Class of 1971, as well as Mr. Jun Fabros.

According to Lacson, Bartolome—who also later on succeeded him as PNP Chief from 2011 to 2012—has been actively helping his presidential campaign together with his brothers. He is from Tarlac and served under the administration of fellow Tarlaqueño, the late President Benigno S. Aquino III.

“Nagpapalit-palit siya, pupunta ng Cotabato, umuuwi ng Tarlac at ipinagpapatuloy niya tulad ng pagpapatuloy niya sa aking mga advocacy noong ako ay Chief PNP na disiplinahin ang hanay ng kapulisan, alisin ang kotong, at ibalik ang tiwala ng ating mga mamamayan sa PNP,” Lacson said of Bartolome.

Lacson and Sotto presented their decades-long political track record and legislative contributions, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, in trying to win the support of some 898,634 electorate from Tarlac for their tandem.

“Pakatandaan po natin, ‘pag tayo pumasok sa presinto at tayo nag-isip, namili ng ating iboboto, wala na kayong pipiliin pa—‘yung pinaka-kwalipikado, ‘yung pinaka-may kakayahan, ‘yung mga (may) pinakamahabang karanasan sa serbisyo publiko at ‘yung matapat,” Lacson told voters in attendance.

Lacson vouched for the leadership skills of Sotto, who, he said, was a ‘consensus builder’ throughout his tenure as Senate President. He also praised Piñol for subjecting himself to an extensive ‘lifestyle check’ for seven months in defense of his integrity during his time as Secretary of Agriculture.

The presidential candidate encouraged voters in Tarlac City to refrain from electing candidates who have a history of stealing from the nation’s coffers, deceiving the public, and are mentally unstable if they don’t want the Philippines to remain in a state of decline.

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