Former Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson on Wednesday filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator. Jauhn Etienne Villaruel, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATE) — Former Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson on Wednesday filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator, marking the start of his campaign to return to the Senate.

Lacson served in the Senate from 2001 to 2007, 2007 to 2013 and 2016 to 2022. In 2022, he lost the presidential election to now President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. 

His running mate at that time, former Senate President Tito Sotto, is also eyeing a Senate comeback and filed his own COC with him.

• Tito Sotto eyes Senate return to finish 'overlooked' pet bills

Lacson earlier said one of the reasons he wanted to return to the Senate was to reunite with his former staffers that are now scattered to different offices.

• Lacson 'praying over' Senate return

During his speech Wednesday, Lacson shared that in his 2-year hiatus from politics, he was able to spend more time with his family and take better care of himself. 

"Mas magaang kargahin ang apo kesa pasanin ang mundo. Mas maginhawa humilata sa kama kesa bumangon nang maaga at pumasok sa opisina. Mas masarap manood ng Netflix kesa magbusisi ng national budget," he said. 

But the break made him question if such life really makes him fulfilled.

"I also kept asking myself these questions: Do I feel better doing things for myself instead of helping others? Now I have the answers. I just filed my COC," he said.

• Solons blast Lacson, demand apology over claims of pork in proposed 2020 nat'l budget

If elected again, Lacson said he would maintain his role as "fiscalizer."

"Should I be given again the mandate to return to the Senate, I do not have to reinvent myself. I pledge to continue not availing of the pork barrel allocation s in any shape or form. I will continue being a vanguard if you will of the annual national budget to the best of my ability," he said.

For 2025, Lacson is running under the slate of administration-backed Alyansa ng Bagong Pilipinas.

RELATED VIDEO