Lacson spox dismisses ‘machismo’ criticisms of Easter Sunday presscon

The camp of Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday dismissed criticisms of "machismo" leveled against him and the other presidential candidates who held a press conference on Easter Sunday, which eventually included a call for Vice President Leni Robredo to quit the race.

"I think the beef of the group [Ikaw Muna Pilipinas] is with their former candidate. When they played the gender card and throw the accusation of machismo, they actually take away a lot from the vice president," Lacson's spokesperson, Ashley Acedillo, said in an ANC interview.

IM Pilipinas initially supported the candidacy of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, but recently switched to Robredo.

In the candidates' joint press conference, Moreno said Robredo should drop out of the race, saying that she should do so if she "loves her country," but stated that he would not drop out himself.

Lacson and his running mate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, have since distanced themselves from Moreno's call. Moreno's own running mate, Dr. Willie Ong, also said that everyone should continue with their candidacies.

Acedillo added that Robredo is "very capable," adding that gender has nothing to do in addressing the problems of the country.

"The vice president, when she was a congressman, she was my colleague and not to take anything away from the vice president, she has been a politician for nine years, not to take anything away from her, she is a very capable lady," Lacson's spokesperson said.

"At the end of the day, when we talk about the problems of the country, and if she does make it as president, these problems don't look at genders. Ang tinitingnan dito ay kapabilidad at character. [What we look at are capability and character.] She is a very capable person, whether a lady or not," he added.

Lacson and Moreno were joined at the press conference by fellow presidential candidate Norberto Gonzales and vice presidential bets Sotto and Ong. — BM, GMA News