Lacson quits Philippine presidential race

MANILA, Philippines, June 6 (UPI) -- Philippine opposition Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson has withdrawn from the 2010 presidential race, citing the expense of waging a campaign as a reason.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported Saturday that Lacson urged his supporters to back a candidate who can help the nation's poor.

"Rest assured that in time, we will all join together to support a leader who could best deliver our people from the bondage they now suffer. That leader must have both the competence and character that are the preconditions to purposive leadership so imperative in these crossroads of the nation's life," Lacson was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

Running for president are former President Joseph Estrada, Sen. Loren Legarda, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando.

Lacson ran for president in 2004, finishing third behind President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and late movie actor Fernando Poe Jr.