ISABELA MEETING. Poll candidates Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate president Vicente Sotto III answer queries from media practitioners during a press conference at the Hotel Andrea in Cauayan City on Monday (March 14, 2022). The two claimed there is no reality to the so-called 'Solid North' backing the candidacy of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Photo by Villamor Visaya Jr.) CITY OF CAUAYAN - Partido Reporma presidential bet, Senator Panfilo Lacson, believes that "doable and concrete solutions" will address the country's problems such as the issue of corruption. Speaking before 2,000 women and other guests at a meeting held at the F.L. Dy Coliseum here on Monday, Lacson said some PHP700 billion has been wasted on corruption. "They say that the teachers' salaries will be increased to PHP100,000? Is it doable? No, but we have to standardize their salaries to be at par with soldiers and police," he said. Lacson also urged the Department of Education to fill up more plantilla positions for teachers, and expressed hope for stabilized agricultural prices. Meanwhile, in a press conference after the meeting, Lacson's running mate for vice president, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, debunked claims that the so-called Solid North is indeed solidly supporting presidential bet Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. He and Lacson believed that they both have contributed to the province's development by legislating vital laws. Lacson said aside from being a part of those who crafted cityhood bills which were later ratified into laws, he is also a former provincial commander of the defunct Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police in Isabela. "I do not need popular artists to join me in campaigns. This number (of participants) is enough for me. The people come to rallies because of the artists, not of the candidates' platforms," he added. Sotto said they are more inclined toward touching the grassroots level and directly talk to the people rather than focus on rallies. (PNA) }