LACSON TO FOCUS ON MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN MANILA

Making a difference by eradicating graft and changing the political culture from one of dole-outs to one of hope will be the focus of Sen. Panfilo Lacson should he win the mayoralty race in Manila in 2007.

Lacson said Tuesday he will not engage Malacañang in a series of confrontations involving rallies and other protest actions, even if he expects Malacañang to harass him.

If you run for mayor you want to focus on governance you want to focus on what difference you can make as a leader of that city or municipality. So I will focus more on that than issuing permits for rallies, he said.

But he said he will strike a balance between the Constitutional Bill of Rights that allows people to peaceably assemble, and the need to maintain peace and order.

Lacson pointed out that Order makes up the O in his HOPE platform of government, which stands for Health, Order, Progress, and Education.

On the other hand, he said he is aware that as a mayor, he will be under the administrative supervision of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

But he said he wants to also change the culture of local governance by weaning the people away from expecting dole-outs from local officials such as mayors and governors.

Such a practice will only encourage more corruption among local officials who will be pressured to produce money to dole out to constituents, he said.

One thing I want to correct is the dole-out culture of local politics. I dont want the mayor or governor getting out of his or her house to see people lining up for money. Isnt it better to give hope to residents and constituents in Manila, and empower them? That way, they dont have to line up in front of the mayors house, he said.