Panfilo Lacson 2004 presidential campaign explained

Candidate:Panfilo Lacson
Senator of the Philippines
(2001–2013; 2016–2022)
Presidential Assistant on Rehabilitation and Recovery
(2013–2015)
Chief of the Philippine National Police
(1999–2001)
Affiliation:Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Aquino Wing)
Status:Official launch: December 29, 2003
Lost election counting: May 24, 2004
Slogan:Huwag Matakot, Fight Kurakot
Ang Mali Labanan! Ang Tama, Ipaglaban
Labanan ang K4: Kahirapan, Krimen, Katiwalian, Kurakot
Key People:Lito Banayo (political strategist, spokesman)

The 2004 presidential campaign of Panfilo Lacson was launched when he filed his certificate of candidacy on December 29, 2003.[1] That time, Lacson is only in the half of his first term as a Senator, and three years ago, he is the former chief of the Philippine National Police.

This is his first try to run as president.[2]

Background

Lacson won a senate seat in 2001, and that time he was rumored to run as president in the near future.[3]

That time, he was only supported by some congressmen like Butz Aquino, Ronaldo Zamora, and Carlos Padilla.[4] While he gathered the support of his former commanding officers, PMA upper classmen and classmates.[5]

Being known for being a military and police officer, Lacson offers a style governance that focuses on crime-fighting.[6]

Issue with the other Faction

Angara faction (who supports Fernando Poe Jr.'s presidential run), said Lacson could be disqualified from the presidential race for allegedly "misrepresenting" himself as the party standard-bearer. They also said that his candidacy only boosted the election for full-term of then-incumbent President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, as they consider it to divide the votes for the opposition.[7]

This issue of opposition split made the Iglesia Ni Cristo and El Shaddai endorse the incumbent Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.[8]

Split of LDP

By then, Poe and Lacson have both filed their certificates of candidacies for president. According to the rules of candidacy, every presidential candidate must have a political party to back him or her. With the obvious split within the ranks of the LDP, and with no signs that the two factions would come to an agreement, the COMELEC decided to informally split the party into the Aquino and the Angara wings.[9] [10] Lacson then ran under the LDP - Aquino Wing, and Poe under the LDP - Angara Wing, which would later become the KNP.[11]

During before and the campaign period, there had been numerous unification talks between the two factions.[12] [13] The opposition saw the need to become united under one banner to boost their chances of winning the presidential election against the organized political machinery of Arroyo.[14] The plans of unification did not materialize due to the stubbornness of both Poe and Lacson. Lacson wanted Poe to concede to him and run as his vice-presidential candidate while the supporters of Poe wanted Lacson to back out from his candidacy and instead support Poe, citing his low performance in the surveys.[15] [16]

Angara brought the issue into the Supreme Court, and Lacson decided to resign in the party.[17]

Harassment

Lacson's 2004 campaign received harassment from the administration candidate, such as tearing down their posters.[18]

Result

He resign on LDP, and continued campaigning as an independent candidate in the elections. He finished third with 10.88% of the vote, behind the incumbent Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Fernando Poe Jr.[19] He did not concede formally, but only concede by province. He was offered allegedly by some administration officers, but he insisted to decline it.[20] [21]

See also

References

  1. Web site: Comelec can’t untangle LDP row . 2024-01-17 . Philstar.com.
  2. Web site: Nery . John . 2021-08-10 . Warning: Lacson . 2023-12-03 . INQUIRER.net . en.
  3. Web site: Lacson running for president in 2004? . 2023-12-03 . Philstar.com.
  4. News: Lacson takes lessons from 2004 loss for fresh presidential bid . .
  5. Web site: Diaz . Jess . 110 PMA, ROTC alumni support Ping . 2023-12-03 . Philstar.com.
  6. Web site: Farolan . Ramon . 2015-04-13 . Panfilo Lacson and Grace Poe . 2023-12-03 . INQUIRER.net . en.
  7. Web site: Diaz . Jose Aravilla and Jess . Lacson formalizes 2004 bid . 2023-12-03 . Philstar.com.
  8. Web site: Punay . Edu . Romero . Paolo . May 8, 2004 . FPJ dismisses INC, Shaddai nod to GMA . 2024-08-15 . Philstar.com.
  9. Web site: Comelec can’t untangle LDP row . 2024-01-17 . Philstar.com.
  10. Web site: Aravilla . Jose Rodel Clapano, Jose . Comelec rules Lacson, FPJ both legal LDP bets . 2024-01-17 . Philstar.com.
  11. Web site: LDP v. Comelec : 161265 : February 24, 2004 : J. Tinga : En Banc : Decision . 2024-01-17 . lawlibrary.chanrobles.com.
  12. Web site: Diaz . Jess . Lacson, FPJ set 1-on-1 meeting . 2024-01-17 . Philstar.com.
  13. Web site: Romero . Paolo . Poe hopeful of another meeting with Lacson . 2024-01-17 . Philstar.com.
  14. Web site: Romero . Paolo . FPJ: Only 1 opposition presidential candidate . 2024-01-17 . Philstar.com.
  15. Web site: Diaz . Jess . No sign Ping backing out — Padilla . 2024-01-17 . Philstar.com.
  16. Web site: Ping will not give way to FPJ . 2024-01-17 . Philstar.com.
  17. Web site: Calica . Aurea . SC asked: Throw out suit vs Ping . 2023-12-12 . Philstar.com.
  18. Web site: Diaz . Jess . Ping urges GMA: Don’t tear down my posters . 2024-01-17 . Philstar.com.
  19. Presidential Museum and Library. 2004 Presidential Elections Data.
  20. Web site: Diaz . Jess . Lacson concedes Pangasinan to Arroyo . 2024-01-17 . Philstar.com.
  21. Web site: Diaz . Jess . Lacson: I was offered Cabinet post to concede . 2024-01-17 . Philstar.com.