The public may send letters to President Duterte if they have any complaints and other concerns, Malacañang said Tuesday.
(YANCY LIM / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the Office of the President is open to accepting letters from all sectors of society including the medical community.
"Bukas ang tanggapan ng Presidente. Kung gusto ninyo ipadaan sa akin para sigurado ko maiaabot kay Presidente ang inyong mga liham (The Office of the President is open. If you want, you may course it through me so I will certainly give the letters to the President)," he said during a televised press briefing Tuesday.
"It's applicable sa lahat ng sectors ng lipunan. Bukas ang pintuan ng aming tanggapan sa Malacanang sa inyong mga reklamo at mga hiling (It's applicable to all sectors of society. The doors of our office in Malacanang are open to your complaints and requests)," he said.
He noted that the President's office usually acts on the letters sent by different sectors.
Roque made the statement after the President appeared to have resented the medical community for going public with their plea for timeout instead of seeking an audience or sending a letter to him.
The Palace official claimed that the President only received the letter from the doctors last Saturday afternoon, long after they held a "media event" calling for tougher lockdown to stem the spread of the infection.
Following the public appeal made by the medical professionals, the President has agreed to bring back Metro Manila and four nearby provinces under modified enhanced community quarantine from August 4 to 18. The two-week timeout reportedly aims to prevent a collapse of the healthcare system system.
Duterte however hit back at the medical professionals for airing their complaints in public, saying they were trying to demean his government. He also dared his critics to launch a "revolution" against him if that is what they really want.