Atty. Barry Gutierrez, spokesperson of Vice President Leni Robredo. INQUIRER.net file photo / Noy Morcoso
MANILA, Philippines — It is the politicking of a Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) official amid rising COVID-19 cases and dwindling hospital beds that is “non-essential” and even a “burden,” Vice President Leni Robredo’s camp said Thursday.
“This guy epitomizes the admin’s COVID response. With cases rising, hospitals full, & millions struggling, instead of doing real work he makes ‘jokes,’ plays politics, & bashes someone who’s actually doing the job they’re supposed to,” Robredo’s spokesman Atty. Barry Gutierrez said.
“Di lang ito ‘non-essential,’ ito ay pabigat,” he added.
(It’s not only “non-essential,” but also a burden.)
Gutierrez was referring to DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III who appeared to have thrown a shade at the Vice President when he said “si lugaw” was not considered “essential.”
Densing was later on quoted as saying that calling the Vice President “lugaw” was only said in jest, but maintained that Robredo is “non-essential.”
Critics of Robredo often call her “lugaw” after her campaign team sold rice porridge to raise funds for her 2016 vice presidential bid.
Densing’s remarks stemmed from a viral video showing a female barangay personnel barring a food delivery rider in Bulacan from picking up an order of “lugaw” or rice porridge insisting it was not considered “essential.”
This prompted authorities to clarify that all food deliveries are allowed during the implementation of enhanced community quarantine Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna.