Presidential candidate Sen. Ping Lacson and his running mate, Senate President Tito Sotto III on Sunday clarified that they are not part of the call for Vice President Leni Robredo to withdraw from the presidential race.
Lacson issued the statement shortly after the joint press conference with fellow presidentiables Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and former defense secretary Norberto Gonzales, who both called for Robredo's withdrawal.
"We are not asking anybody to withdraw. Ayaw din namin na mananawagan sila na mag-withdraw kami in the same manner [That we don't want them to call for our withdrawal in the same manner]," Lacson said during an ambush interview at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.
"I want to correct that impression, baka mamaya may impression na this presscon is about telling Vice President Leni to withdraw. No, not at all," he added.
During the press conference, Moreno challenged Robredo, the lone woman in the presidential race, to make the 'supreme sacrifice' and withdraw her bid.
"Eh di ang pinaka-supreme sacrifice, if you are not a good player to win, then you pay the supreme sacrifice, you withdraw... Now we are calling: Be a hero. Withdraw, Leni," he said.
Sotto, who was also present at the event, echoed Lacson's remark saying that the Manila mayor himself said it was only his own opinion to call for Robredo's withdrawal.
"Sabi ni Mayor Isko, ako lang ito ha [Mayor Isko himself said, it was just his view]," Sotto said.
Moreno, Lacson, Gonzales, and Sen. Manny Pacquiao have made a commitment not to withdraw from the presidential race in the May 2022 elections.
