SENATOR Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson on Thursday stressed that politics of service is what the country needs as Filipinos face huge problems as the New Year approaches.

He emphasized the importance of integrity in public service, where public servants do the right thing even when no one is looking.

“This is the politics of service we badly need now,” Lacson, who is running for President, said.

He thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Coast Guard for helping deliver relief assistance to areas hit by Typhoon Odette.

The senator said that the AFP and PCG delivered the relief assistance that he sent without fanfare.

“I thank the AFP and the PCG for providing logistical support to deliver our relief assistance to the different areas badly hit by typhoon Odette. It happened, even if I was not there for photo ops. Critics will say, it’s still politics. Yes, politics of service, not interest,” Lacson said.

He earlier warned against “calamity politics” where some personalities use disasters to gain publicity. This, the senator described as the lowest form of campaigning.