Philippine senator first to declare 2022 run for presidency

FILE PHOTO: Senator Panfilo Lacson waves to reporters before the start of a news conference at the Senate headquarters in Pasay city, metro Manila March 28, 2011. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco/File Photo

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday declared his candidacy for next year's presidential election, the first to confirm a run for the top post to replace the controversial but popular incumbent Rodrigo Duterte.

Former police chief Lacson, 73, made his announcement alongside Senate speaker Vicente Sotto, a former actor, musician and four-term lawmaker who will be his running mate in the vice presidential contest.