By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
Malacañang found it unfortunate that Vice President Leni Robredo was supposedly looking at the government's response to the COVID-19 as a half-empty glass.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.(CAMILLE ANTE / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
In his statement, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said it was unfortunate that Robredo was focusing on the shortcomings of the government to advance her own political interests.
"We find the action of the Vice President, which is looking at the glass half-empty -- focusing on the shortcomings just to score political brownie points at the expense of the administration -- totally unwarranted," he said Saturday.
According to Roque, the administration has been as transparent about both its lapses and gains. He also said that the fight against COVID-19 was a collective effort and that that the Palace was open to suggestions.
"The Executive has no monopoly of good ideas and deeds and we have to stress that the effects of COVID-19 have been unprecedented," he said.
Roque said even Vice President Robredo can send in her inputs and he will make sure that her suggestions would be discussed in order to improve the delivery of services to the public.
"I enjoin her not to hesitate in sending her valuable inputs, and I will make sure her concrete ideas will be tabled for discussion in future IATF meetings. This is how we work for the common good," he said.
Roque said Robredo's remarks that the national government is in a state of self-denial or praising its actions were baseless.
According to the Palace official, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has been meeting round-the-clock to constantly review its policies and guidelines.
"The good and applicable ones are continued while those proven to be ineffective are replaced for better ones. This is evident in the number of times we have amended the guidelines. The Office of the President, too, has been submitting weekly reports to Congress," he said.
Roque, meanwhile, urged Vice President Robredo to just request for data if she thinks that President Duterte's weekly reports to Congress were lacking.
According to Roque, Duterte's reports contained the focal points of the different agencies of the government.