Robredo camp claps back at Densing for calling VP 'non-essential'

The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday hit back at Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III for calling her "non-essential."

In a statement on Twitter, lawyer Ibarra Gutierrez, Robredo's spokesperson, said Densing "epitomizes the administration’s COVID-19 response."

"With cases rising, hospitals full and millions struggling… instead of doing real work, he makes 'jokes,' plays politics, and bashes someone who's actually doing the job they're supposed to," he said.

"Di lang ito 'non-essential.' Ito ay pabigat [He is not only non-essential, he is a burden]," Gutierrez added.

The issue started when Densing was asked to clarify his "si lugaw" remark made during a One PH interview on Wednesday when he was asked about the  incident involving a barangay official saying lugaw or rice porridge is not considered an essential item amid the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and four adjacent provinces.

Robredo's critics associate her with lugaw since her supporters sold lugaw as a fundraising activity during her 2016 Vice presidential campaign.

Densing said his remark about lugaw was just a joke but added that it is Robredo who is "non-essential" for her continuous criticism of the government's efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Ano siya, pabiro ang delivery pero [that was just a joke but] I'm serious in saying that she (Robredo) is a non-essential today," Densing said.

"Wala siyang ginawa. Lahat ng sinasabi niya puro criticisms, unfounded, minsan magbibigay siya ng program pero nagawa na ng gobyerno."

(She has not done anything. All she does is make unfounded criticisms. Sometimes she'd come up with programs that have already been done by the government.)

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has distanced itself from Densing's statement. —KBK, GMA News