MANILA, Philippines — Partido Reporma's standard bearer Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said Friday that he has risked his life on the streets and in high office for the past five decades amid claims that the presidential bet lacked work "on the ground."
"I risked my life countless times, kicking doors while leading my men to save people I didn’t even know. I fought notorious armed robbers to make people sleep soundly at night. I saved P300B of public funds from being misused and abused," he said on Twitter.
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"Kulang sa ‘ground work’? I value my work," he added.
Based on a statement released by his camp, Lacson served as a law enforcer for 30 years, fighting several criminal gangs, rescuing kidnap victims and "neutralizing" kidnappers.
It added that he declined offers of rewards from the survivors' relatives; and turned down bribes from illegal gambling operators as well as those dealing with the Philippine National Police.
Lacson's camp also said he was able to stop the misuse of P300 billion worth of public funds, following scrutiny of the yearly budget, in his 18 years as a senator, among other achievements.
"I did my work, even if I made enemies in high places. That shows how I value my work," Lacson was quoted as saying.
He made these statements following claims that he is unfit for the presidency because he "lacked groundwork." Neither he nor his camp named the source of the claim.
In Vice President Leni Robredo's presidential candidate interview with Boy Abunda earlier this week, she was asked why Filipino should not vote for the other candidates.
Robredo then said that Lacson talks a lot, but lacked action "on the ground."