Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31) — Netizens, including celebrities expressed mixed reactions, some calling for prayers, others dissatisfied with President Rodrigo Duterte’s nearly eight-hour delayed speech on government’s efforts to address the COVID-19 crisis.
Were those special powers invisibility or?
— Gabby (@GabbyGPadilla) March 30, 2020
Anxiously waiting for Duterte's speech this afternoon. I want to know kung ano na ang dinulot ng emergency powers niya because I've heard little so far. I hope to hear news on mass testing, support for the health sector, the probability of ECQ extension, and so on.
— P. X. V. (@peachwrites) March 30, 2020
Waiting for Duterte's "4 pm" speech like #DuterteStandardTime pic.twitter.com/VjoRvBGoEg
— Kito (@keithpaolo_) March 30, 2020
Me waiting for Duterte's speech.. pic.twitter.com/SUSg6Q3evE
— Cris Bordon (@bordlove) March 30, 2020
So many people have a lot to say about Pres Duterte's speech. Have we been praying for him also??
— Karen (@Karen_Baraquel) March 30, 2020
Some also listed down what they were hoping to hear from the President’s report, a week after he signed into law Republic Act 11649 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, giving him special powers to address COVID-19.
But after the speech was aired, netizens expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of depth in the updates given by the Chief Executive.
What I hoped to get:
1. Budget allocation
2. Urgent opening of more centers for eventual mass testing
3. Procurement/distribution of testing kits & PPEs
4. Pay & benefits for health workers
5. Address dwindling food supply
6. Sanctions for abusers
7. TIMETABLE!ETC!
But pic.twitter.com/lW33pUrtBW
— Juan Miguel Severo 🏳️🌈 (@TheRainBro) March 30, 2020
Hay. Nakakalungkot. Kung essay yun sa exam, hindi papasa. Wala naman yatang nasagot sa mga tanong ng bayan. I appreciate the visibility but that means nothing without transparency. Anong plano? Hindi naman pwedeng tiwala lang.
— 🌺JANINE (@janinegutierrez) March 30, 2020
Another indication: Duterte even mentioned on his speech that “matagal na tayong may problema sa pera.” Was it a slip of the tongue of just or plain generalization Nevertheless, absence of planning is becoming really obvious. And the gov’t not being transparent is not helping.
— Prinz Magtulis 프린즈 (@prinzmagtulis) March 30, 2020
Duterte reiterated that the government has allotted P200 billion for low income households and appealed to the private sector “to help in any way [it] can” to cushion the burden of those who were affected by the crisis.
He also quickly thanked healthcare workers and frontliners, noting that those who died were “lucky to have died for the country,” a move which netizens then described as a foul “romanticization” of their efforts in treating those who were infected.
“I can’t stand the fact that Rodrigo Duterte romanticized and glorified the death of our frontliners??? For real??? Our medical frontliners died so he could just mention that on his speech??? So yun na yon??? (Is that it?)” said @kuyafranceee.
I can't stand the fact that Rodrigo Duterte romanticized and glorified the death of our frontliners?????????? For real??????? Our medical frontliners died so he could just mention that on his speech?????? so yun na yon??????
— kuya france (@kuyafranceee) March 30, 2020
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier announced that the televised message was “tentatively” set at 4pm on Monday, but later in the day advised that it will be delivered late as Duterte was still meeting with the concerned agencies regarding updates on the COVID-19 response.
The speech was aired at around 11:30pm on Monday night, almost eight hours behind schedule.
Prior to the speech, netizens in the waiting game sought comic relief through Facebook and Twitter.
“Mahal na pangulo, kung nandito ka, pakigalaw ang baso,” Facebook user Emil Lunasco said, apparently alluding to the Ouija or Spirit of the Glass board game.
[Translation: Beloved President, if you are here, make your presence felt by moving the glass]
“Were those special powers invisibility or?” actress Gaby Padilla tweeted.
“I want to know kung ano na ang dinulot ng emergency powers niya (what has been the effect of his emergency powers) because I’ve heard little so far,” said @peachwrites.
“Hopefully the public will finally have an answer to where those emergency powers will go and where the 257 billion pesos will be allocated. The people have the right to know,” said @annebalad.
“T***na kahit budget allocation lang mas giginhawa na ako eh. Pero wala. Basta let’s take comfort daw in the fact na he’s worried about our well-being,” spoken word artist Juan Miguel Severo tweeted.
[Translation: S*****, it would have been a relief if had you at least spoke about budget allocation. But none. He just said let’s take comfort in the fact that he’s worried about our well-being]
“Hay. Nakakalungkot. Kung essay yun sa exam, hindi papasa. Wala naman yatang nasagot sa mga tanong ng bayan,” actress Janine Gutierrez said.
[It’s sad. Had it been an essay exam, it would not have passed. It seems none of the nation’s questions were answered]
“Stop romanticizing the deaths of frontliners, Duterte. Part of the reason why they died is because of the lack of support from the government,” said @TheAveengers.
Meanwhile, a few others still rallied behind and called for prayers for the President after the speech.
“So many people have a lot to say about Pres. Duterte’s speech. Have we been praying for him also?” said @Karen_Baraquel.
“Philippines is still blessed to have Pres. Duterte! Instead of criticizing his words and ways of governing our country, just pray for him. If he will die before the pandemic ends, mas mahihirapan tayo (all the more will we suffer). Everything will be in disorder,” said @maangellyca.
At least twelve doctors have already died of COVID-19 in the Philippines, the Philippine Medical Association bared Sunday, claiming that health workers were not getting enough protection.
The country now has 1,546 cases, 78 deaths, and 42 recoveries from the infection to date.
