Lacson on Marcos’ P20/kilo of rice: ‘Realistically, mahirap’

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Senatorial bet Ping Lacson is not the typical administration candidate. He is outspoken, voicing his opinions even when they go against administration allies.

While he is among the senatorial bets of administration coalition Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas, former senator Ping Lacson shares the skepticism of many others about the controversial campaign promise of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to bring down rice prices to just P20 per kilo.

“Realistically, parang mahirap ma-attain ‘yung P20 per kilo ng rice. Ma-approximate lang sana, masaya na tayong lahat. Pero to accomplish ‘yung P20 per kilo, ako I’m being pragmatic, medyo mahirap,” Lacson told reporters on Friday, February 28, when asked about Marcos Jr.’s campaign promise during a press conference ahead of the Alyansa sortie in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

(Realistically, it seems difficult to attain the P20 per kilo price for rice. If we could just approximate it, we’d all be happy. But to actually achieve P20 per kilo, I’m being pragmatic — it’s rather hard.)

Lacson, known for being a non-nonsense public official, is not the typical administration candidate. He is outspoken even on issues that affect administration allies.

On February 18, Lacson urged lawmakers to avoid meddling in government project implementation, including social services. At the time, there were calls for politicians to stay out of cash aid programs, especially the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), the pet cash aid project of Speaker Martin Romualdez.

It was not the first time for Lacson to cause raised eyebrows at a 2025 campaign event. During the Alyansa campaign kickoff in the President’s hometown, Laoag, Ilocos Norte, on February 11, Lacson spoke about the EDSA People Power Revolution that ousted the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos. The main context of his EDSA reminiscing, however, was the steadfast loyalty of Ilocanos as demonstrated by their continued support for the Marcos family.

Lacson ran for president in 2022, a race won by Marcos Jr. Ironically, Lacson and his vice presidential running mate at that time, former Senate president Tito Sotto, are now part of the President’s slate in their bid for a fresh Senate term. As they say, there are no permanent enemies or friends in politics. – Rappler.com