Ping Lacson files COC for Senate, vows to continue fiscalizing national budget

Former Senator Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Wednesday for a return to the Senate, running under the administration-backed slate Alyansa ng Bagong Pilipinas for the 2025 elections.

Lacson served three terms in the Senate and lost the 2022 presidential election to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., but he is now seeking another term alongside his former running mate Tito Sotto, who also filed his COC.

During a speech at the filing, Lacson reflected on spending time with family during his two-year hiatus from politics but felt a renewed sense of purpose in public service, vowing to maintain his role as 'fiscalizer' and continue scrutinizing the national budget.

Lacson emphasized his commitment to proper decorum in the Senate, citing recent incidents like the near-brawl between senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Migz Zubiri.

As a senator, Lacson gained a reputation for crusading against corruption but is also infamous for his role during the Ferdinand E. Marcos dictatorship and evaded justice at one point.