By Deighton Acuin

PHOTO: FilAm Star

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Friday said Filipinos are not ready for a “Davao City-like” arrangement with the tandem of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and President Rodrigo Duterte as executives.

If this happens, Lacson told ANC the Philippines would like to be a Davao City barangay or village.

"The Philippines is not Davao City. If they can do that in Davao City, I don’t think the Filipinos are ready for a Davao City-like political situation or arrangement. This is not to take away anything from Senator Go or Sara Duterte or President Duterte, but I don’t think Filipinos are ready to see a Davao City-like political situation in the whole country," Lacson said.

"I think it’s a bit too much. While you say it’s constitutional, legal, and it’s really up to the electorate to decide, but sa akin—this is personal—parang hindi magandang tingnan,” Lacson added.

Lacson himself was in the top 10 people in the December 2020 survey that asked respondents who they would vote for if the 2022 elections were held today, tying with Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go at 6th place.

In the same interview, Lacson said he has yet to decide on his plans next year. Lacson currently in his first senatorial term and can be up for re-election.

The elder Duterte has been prodded by his party-mates in PDP-Laban to seek the vice presidency as his term expires next year. 

His daughter, meanwhile, topped an electoral survey published in December last year. She, however, said she does "not intend to run for President."


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