Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 10) — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said he is not discouraged by a recent survey that showed he’s langusihing at fifth among Filipinos’ preferred presidential candidates.
“I’ve been through a lot all my life; I’m not discouraged by setbacks or whatever,” Lacson said during a meet-the-press event on Thursday
Lacson said he has always taken on challenges “to the hilt” no matter what the obstacles were.
“Na-weigh ko na lahat ito bago ako pumasok. But ang usapan naming dalawa (ni Senate President Tito Sotto), all the way. We’ll do our best to communicate. Kung hindi mag get across yung aming mensahe for the Filipino people, for this country, then so be it,” he added
[Translation: I’ve weighed all of this even before I entered the race. But I and Senate President Sotto agreed to take this all the way. We’ll do our best to communicate. If our message doesn’t get across to the Filipino people, then so be it.]
Surveys conducted by the Social Weather Stations in December and January showed Lacson has remained in fifth place in presidential surveys, trailing other candidates, namely, Bongbong Marcos, the son of deposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Vice President Leni Robredo, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.
When asked if there would be a change in his campaign strategy because of what the surveys showed, Lacson said he is confident his participation in interviews would be a key factor in the run-up to the polls.
“I think the presidential forums and interviews will change things based on the feedbacks, based on the congratulatory messages that I’ve been receiving,” he said.
However, Lacson said he accepts the results of surveys.
“If numbers won’t change even after those forums, so be it… Basta’t ako, ginagawa namin yung dapat gawin… and if they don’t believe us or yung message namin has not come across to be understood, that’s fine.”
[Translation: “If numbers won’t change even after those forums, so be it. As for me, we’re doing what must be done. and if they don’t believe us or if our message has not come across to be understood, that’s fine.”]
