Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 22) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday hit critics, including Vice President Leni Robredo, for claiming that his administration is putting minimal effort in COVID-19 pandemic response.
“Wag kayong maniwala diyan sa mga dilawan. I hate to mention her name, itong si Leni, kung ano-ano pinagsasabi,” said Duterte on Monday night. “Alam mo, Leni, kung gusto mo, if you really want to do away with COVID, isprayan natin itong Manila ng pesticide galing sa eroplano, para patay lahat.”
[Translation: Do not believe the yellows. I hate to mention her name, but Leni is speaking nonsense. You know, Leni, if you really want to do away with COVID, we can spray the whole Manila from the airplane with pesticide to kill the virus.]
Robredo recently said in a television interview that the national government does not have a system in place as no cohesive plan was crafted since the country was put under lockdown six months ago.
However, Malacañang just shrugged off her remark and said that she was entitled to her opinion as the leader of the opposition.
For his part, Duterte asserted that the government has already exerted enough effort to address the health crisis.
“You might be hearing of critics, yung walang magawa, that we are not doing enough. Ano bang ‘enough’ na gusto ninyo? May ospital, may kama, at may punerarya, nandiyan lahat. Ano pa ba ang gusto niyo?,” he said.
[Translation: You might be hearing of critics, those who have nothing to do with their lives, that we are not doing enough. What ‘enough’ do you want? There are hospitals, beds, and funeral homes, everything is already there. What else do you want?]
The President added that everybody should wait for the vaccine against COVID-19 to be available.
“The only thing we can do really is wear your mask, that’s it and wait for the vaccine. COVID-19 is equals to vaccine. Wag na ninyong palakahin ang problema (Don’t worsen the problem),” said Duterte.
Will never be enough
After Duterte made his national address, Robredo immediately responded that waiting for a vaccine will never be enough to address the situation.
”Di ko matiis magkaroon ng takeaways. Hindi yata sapat na basta may ospital, kama at punerarya, ang kailangan nalang gawin ay maghintay ng vaccine,” said Robredo in an online post.
[Translation: I cannot help but to have my takeaways. It’s not enough to only have hospitals, beds, and funeral homes, and just wait for a vaccine.]
Robredo added that the government should unite to address the following “main challenges”: suppressing the pandemic by means of medical and non-medical interventions; overcoming humanitarian emergencies including poverty, hunger, unemployment, mental distress, etc. , caused by the pandemic; restructuring public and private finances in the wake of the pandemic; and rebuilding the economy in an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable way.
She also said that suppressing the virus will not be solved by “spraying pesticide” all over Manila.
“Yung number 1 po, hindi ma sosolusyunan sa pag spray ng pesticide sa Manila galing sa eroplano,” said Robredo.
[Translation: Number 1 cannot be solved by spraying pesticides on Manila from the plane.]
As of Sept. 21, the country has recorded 290,190 COVID-19 infections, 230,233 recoveries, and 4,999 casualties.
