Moreno, Lacson, Gonzales hold press conference to state they will not withdraw their candidacies for the May 2022 polls
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Senator Panfilo Lacson, and Former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales held a joint press conference to announce that none of them will withdraw their candidacies for the May 2022 polls.
“Kami ay magsasanib-puwersa para labanan ang anumang pagtatangka na baluktutin ang totoong pagpapasya ng taumbayan sa pamamagitan ng paggalaw na hindi kanais-nais o kaya’y paglilimita sa malayang pagpili ng ating taumbayan,” Moreno read a joint statement by the presidentiables.
“Hinding-hindi kami magbibitiw sa kampanya. Ang bawat isa sa amin ay magpapatuloy sa aming mga sariling kandidatura upang maging karapat-dapat na pagpilian ng sambayanang Pilipino.”
The presidential candidates were accompanied by vice-presidential candidates Willie Ong and Tito Sotto, who also backed their message of unity.
Senator Manny Pacquiao was said to attend the presscon, but it started while he was still on his way to Manila from General Santos City.
The announcement comes amid the results of Pulse Asia surveys with former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. consistently leading the presidential race, followed by Vice President Leni Robredo who has been gaining some ground.
Lacson expressed his hope that after the media briefing, "more Filipinos will be enlightened that there are a lot of choices, not just two."
Both Lacson and Moreno accused Robredo's team of calling them to withdraw their candidacy for president. Moreno said at the conference, "If they are calling for supreme sacrifice—the 'yellow/pink" are calling for supreme sacrifice—eh 'di ang pinaka-supreme sacrifice, if you are not a good player to win, then you pay the supreme sacrifice, you withdraw. Now we are calling, be a hero, withdraw Leni."
