Lacson rejects Atienza’s call for him to withdraw from the presidential race

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday rejected Buhay partylist Rep. Lito Atienza’s call for him to withdraw from the presidential race.

“I am not backing out. I reject this call. It is uncalled for to say the least. He should go back to school and study GMRC which law I authored,” Lacson said.

Earlier, Atienza said he is willing to backout but maintains Lacson should also withdraw to allow the tandem of Senator Manny Pacquiao and Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

Lacson’s assistant campaign manager former Bureau of Internal Revenue commissioner Kim Henares also supported the senator’s stand.

“He is not withdrawing. I just want to make it clear that the campaign continues and he is not withdrawing,” Henares said.

Pacquiao also said he is not discounting the possibility of a Manny-Sotto alliance dubbed as Ma-So if Atienza decides to quit because of his leg problem.

Lacson has bared that the real reason why his former party — Partido Reporma — withdrew its support to his presidential bid was due to his inability to provide P800 million worth of campaign funds to the party’s local candidates.

Lacson refuted earlier claims of Partido Reporma president Davao del Norte First District Representative Pantaleon Alvarez that the party decided to endorse Vice President Leni Robredo because the latter has a better chance of winning.