MANILA (UPDATED)—Presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson disputed Vice President Leni Robredo’s description of him as engaging in too much talk but lacking in “on the ground” work as a reason why voters should not choose him as the country’s next leader.

Robredo made the statement in her interview with Boy Abunda when asked for reasons why voters should not choose her rivals.

• Robredo asked: Why should voters pick you over rivals?

In a tweet, Lacson said it was not his nature to inappropriately show off (be “epal”) when he gives out help during times or calamities or when he helps individuals.

"Hindi ako kulang sa ‘on the ground’. Hindi lang talaga ako ma-epal tuwing magbibigay ng tulong sa mga kalamidad man o sa mga indibidwal na tulong,” Lacson said.

In a later statement, the former police chief's spokesperson, Rep. Romeo Acop, alleged that Robredo is not yet ready to become president because of her recent statements.

"Vice President Leni Robredo’s half-baked and rushed answers to incisive questions during recent presidential interviews shows she is not quite ready for the office of the Chief Executive," said Acop.

The lawmaker also claimed that the vice president's answers are "often myopic in nature and inconsistent."

Even if Robredo's intentions are good, he said these are not enough to help the country from poverty and disaster recovery.

"I noticed that she often chooses to gnaw on specific examples she has presented before. This cannot stand for a Chief Executive that must have a macro view of the country's big problems," he explained.

"While we laud the Vice President’s willingness to serve the Filipino people, the Office of the President is another level entirely, requiring the knowledge, competency, and experience possessed by only one candidate at present – my good friend and colleague, Sen. Lacson."

MARCOS

Acop also criticized presidential frontrunner Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. for his "motherhood and socialist" statements, which he also described as "hollow" and reused.

"He is just parroting statements made by current and former government officials that betray his lack of personal knowledge needed to govern the country," the lawmaker said.