“When there is smoke there is fire,” Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Thursday, confirming his intention to run for president in the 2010 elections.

Lacson, who was the keynote speaker in the youth summit on the Millennium Development Goals held in Dumaguete City , said, however, that without the means and the opportunity, he considers himself out of the race.

For now, he said 2010 is too far away.

Lacson proposed a program to distribute fuel discount coupons to public utility drivers only, so that the maximum effect of the announced one percent tariff cut on oil products will benefit those who need it most.

He also called on the Philippine National Police leadership to intensify efforts to curb extortion activities which victimize lowly drivers and transport operators, particularly in Manila .

“We should come up with a package of measures, tax as well as non-tax, in order to alleviate the burden of public utility drivers who are the hardest hit by the prevailing cost of oil in the world market,” Lacson said.*JG/RG

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