Ping Lacson Drops Major 2028 Presidential Bombshell Amid Cayetano Clash
PING LACSON – The possibility of seeing Ping Lacson on the 2028 presidential ballot has seemingly been put to rest after the veteran senator addressed the growing speculation head-on.
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has put an end to speculation that he may seek the presidency in the 2028 national elections, saying his public service career could end once he completes his current term as senator.
Lacson clarified his recent statements concerning alleged irregularities in the Laguna Lakeshore Reclamation Areas in Taguig City, which is considered the political stronghold of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.
According to Lacson, at least ₱3.713 billion in public funds was allegedly wasted on what he described as “illegal” reclamation activities in the area. His claims have since fueled a political exchange between him and Cayetano.
In a post on X on Monday, August 31, Lacson defended the credibility of the information he had presented, particularly because it was based on official documents.
“Pag ganito ka-detalyado at may pinaghugutan pang official records, mahirap sigurong paniwalaan na ‘fake news,’” said Lacson. “At kung hahaluan pa ng kulay pulitika, i.e., may plano daw akong tumakbong presidente sa 2028, watch me – my public service career ends when I finish my term as senator in 2031.
He further emphasized that he is not ruling out the possibility of leaving public service even earlier, citing the personal toll of his continued fight against corruption.
“I might even retire earlier. Fighting corruption in this country is exhausting and frustrating.”
Lacson has previously pursued the presidency twice. His first presidential run came in 2004, when he competed against Fernando Poe Jr., popularly known as “Da King,” and then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He returned to the presidential race in 2022, facing eventual winner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and then-Vice President Leni Robredo.
Meanwhile, Cayetano responded to Lacson’s remarks in another social media post on the same day. Instead of directly addressing the specific allegations, Cayetano argued that Lacson was introducing more claims that could further complicate the controversy.
“One allegation becomes another. One question produces three more accusations. Until the truth is obscured and all that is left is anger, fear, confusion, and paranoia. That does not bring us closer to the truth. It only makes the truth harder for the Filipino people to see,” he said.
The dispute between the two senators reportedly began after Cayetano questioned Lacson’s integrity as a lawmaker, eventually leading to an increasingly heated public exchange.
READ ALSO: Ping Lacson Says “No turning back” In Exposing Alleged Taguig “Ghost Projects”
