Lacson, Sotto counting on last-minute vote swing

MANILA, Philippines — More than a better showing in recent surveys, independent presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo Lacson and his vice presidential bet Senate President Vicente Sotto III are counting on a last-minute vote swing from discerning voters in their favor on election day.

While Lacson and Sotto maintained that surveys are a snapshot of people’s sentiments on the day a particular poll is taken, they believe voters can still change their minds at the last moment.

“People can change their minds in a split second. Even after entering the polling booth and before shading the ballots you can still change your mind,” Lacson said in Filipino.

“That’s why we keep telling voters to be discerning and look at who is the most qualified and experienced,” he said.

Sotto said “anything can swing” the sentiments of the people even three to four days because of technology and the 24/7 nature of news.

“Because of technology, people can change their minds quickly. A double-digit difference (in survey standings of two candidates) can be overcome in a matter of days,” he said.

The latest nationwide survey by the RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. showed that in the presidential race, Lacson got a seven percent share while in the vice presidential race, Sotto got 40 percent of voter support, second to 51 percent for Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Lacson also maintained he is willing to debate with anyone on who among the current tandems is the most qualified and competent to lead the country.

“I am willing to debate with anyone if they want to argue who is the most qualified and competent among all of us,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lacson and Sotto reiterated that a day’s wrong decision can haunt Filipinos for the next six years or more.

Lacson particularly warned against voting for the wrong type of leaders, including those who steal, those who scheme, and those who lack the needed experience and competence to solve the huge problems facing the country.

“If we choose the wrong leader – such as one who steals, for the next six years, we Filipinos will be robbed. Do you want that? Nobody wants that,” he said.

“If we choose someone who is scheming and insincere, we will spend the next six years being lied to. Do you want that? No,” he added.

“If we choose someone who is not qualified, not experienced or lacks competence, our nation will likely sink,” he warned.

Because of this, he said it is imperative that voters be discerning.

Sotto added he and Lacson have the much-needed experience and competence to properly implement the laws that can address many problems hounding the government.

He said the best ones to implement the laws are the ones who made them.

“There are so many good laws, many of which we crafted. Give us a chance to lead and we assure you we will make sure the laws are properly enforced,” Sotto said.