(Eagle News)–Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday, Sept. 11, said he was “not even sure” if he wants to run for President.
Lacson issued the statement after President Rodrigo Duterte said he believes the senator had plans for the same given his “penchant” for commenting on every issue.
Duterte issued the remark as he recalled how the senator and Vice President Leni Robredo criticized his claim that police officers could accept gifts of nominal value that were given by citizens out of gratitude, based on the Anti-Graft and Corruption law.
“Sheer ignorance. Trying to be a crusader but ignorant,” Duterte had said of Lacson.
According to Lacson, in the first place, the President was “exaggerating.”
“Aside from my Twitter posts, I only comment on issues when asked, and not even all the time. I play ‘dedma’ when I am not familiar with the issue,” Lacson said.
Lacson added he “may not be a lawyer but I know how to read and understand the law that I read, or ask my lawyer-staff when I don’t.”
“Having said that, the President says he is fighting corruption. I also say am on a crusade in exposing corruption in government. If we are not complementing each other in this regard, there must be a problem somewhere,” he said, maintaining his position the receipt of even nominal gifts constituted graft.
“Duterte OK with cops accepting ‘gifts’ out of gratitude, earning extra cash from video karera” — Is this not graft Mr. President? Pray tell who is ignorant?” he said.
