Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III on Thursday took a swipe at Vice President Leni Robredo with his controversial “si lugaw” remark not being considered “essential.”

“Tama si barangay official — ‘hindi essential SI LUGAW’ — paulit ulit ‘hindi essential SI LUGAW!” the government official wrote in his Facebook account.

“DDS pala sya hahaha,” he added, referring to Diehard Duterte Supporters, a name used for individuals supporting President Rodrigo Duterte.

Netizens were quick to point out how Epimaco referred “si lugaw” to the Vice President.

This, after Robredo’s critics called her “Leni Lugaw” after photos of her campaign team selling rice porridge to raise funds for her 2016 vice-presidential bid spread online.

In an interview, Epimaco boldly admitted that it was indeed Leni he was referring to his statement who is “non-essential.”

“Ano siya, pabiro ang delivery pero I’m serious in saying that she is a non-essential today,” Densing told GMA News Online in a phone interview.

“Wala siyang ginawa. Lahat ng sinasabi niya puro criticisms, unfounded, minsan magbibigay siya ng program pero nagawa na ng gobyerno. I stand by my position that the Vice President is non-essential at this point in the fight against COVID-19,” he added.

The government official’s remark came after a viral video on social media, showed a food delivery rider, who was on his way to deliver lugaw to a customer, was prevented by barangay officials from passing through a checkpoint in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

A female barangay personnel can be heard saying that lugaw is not considered an essential good as she explains to the rider how the curfew hours work following the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

“Ang lugaw pi ba essential? Hindi. Kasi ang tao mabubuhay ng walang lugaw,” the personnel said.

Malacañang has since clarified that all food deliveries are allowed and must remain unhampered during the implementation of enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna.

READ: ‘Lugaw is essential’ Palace says food deliveries allowed 24/7