House Deputy Speaker and Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez on Monday called Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. as a “bayaniyan” for publicly revealing he has COVID-19.
(FACEBOOK / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Fernandez said Revilla’s decision should prod other people suffering from COVID-19 to make their condition public, saying this should serve as their contribution in preventing the spread of the dreaded disease.
However, the lawmaker noted that other government personnel and officials with COVID- 19 continue to hide their condition for fear of discrimination and maltreatment.
Fernandez noted that despite government’s strong appeal for COVID-19 patients to support efforts in stopping the spread of the deadly disease, there remains a big number of State workers and even officials who refuse to reveal their identities.
He recalled that as of Saturday, at least 2,459 members of the Philippine National Police have become infected with COVID-19.
“Of this number, how many courageously revealed their condition and, in the process, encouraged other COVID- 19 infected persons to do the same?” he asked.
The lawmaker said infected individuals should be given assurance by authorities that they will be protected against harm and ill-treatment by other people.
“Sen. Revilla showed utmost concern for the welfare of others, just like what over a dozen lawmakers and other government officials with COVID -19 have done. They all fully disclosed their ailment to warn those who have come in contact with them,” said the House official.
“By telling the public how they became infected, Sen. Revilla and people like him are making significant contributions in preventing death caused by the disease,” Fernandez noted.
Last week, Fernandez launched a hate and shame campaign he called “bayaniyan at maytamayan” to boost government’s contact tracing efforts and deter people from maltreating or discriminating a COVID 19 patient.
Aside from Revilla, who, like Fernandez, was a former actor, the House official also cited Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Juan Edgardo Angara as bayaniyan for announcing that they tested positive for COVID-19.
Also lauded were House Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman and Johnny Pimentel; Reps. Henry Villarica and Samier Tan; Cabinet Secretaries Eduardo Ano and Leonor Briones, and television personalities Michael V., Howie Severino, Izza Calzado, and Donita Nose, among others.