THE camp of presidential aspirant Panfilo “Ping” Lacson thanked fellow candidate Manila Mayo Isko Moreno for exercising restraint and grace in his answering other bets’ viability.

Meanwhile, Lacson hit back at Vice President Leni Robredo for “lack of on-the-ground” comment during an interview with television host Boy Abunda,

“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. Kulang sa ‘groundwork?’ I value my work,” Lacson tweeted on Friday.

In thanking Moreno, Partido Reporma spokesman Ace Acedillo said that Lacson finds merit in Mayor Isko’s desire to “lead without vengeance.”

Moreno in the political fast talk segment said when asked why people should vote for Lacson : “Pwede namang iboto rin.”

“Even before the start of the official campaign period, Ping Lacson had advocated for a ‘no mudslinging’ policy with the hopes of elevating the level of political discourse in our country. We are encouraged that this is resonating with some of his fellow presidential aspirants as well,” Acedillo said.

Moreno was the fourth presidential aspirant to appear in the ‘Presidential One-on-One Interviews’ hosted by Boy Abunda.

According to the Partido Reporma camp, they took Moreno’s remark as a sign of mutual respect for their candidate.

“Senator Lacson who we believe set the bar really high for the other candidates. The Lacson brand of leadership is rooted in governance above politics. We should rise on our own merit, without having to bring other people down,” Acedillo noted.

Lacson’s interview with Abunda was first to air over the latter’s YouTube channel last January 24.

To the question of why people should not vote for the other presidential candidates, the Partido Reporma chairman’s simple and pointed reply was: “Kasi tumatakbo rin ako.”

Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III have repeatedly stated that they will continue to steer away from personality-based attacks, choosing to focus instead on discussions centered on the nation’s problems and the latest issues.

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Joel dela Torre