Health experts and doctors have been giving suggestions that may solve the coronavirus crisis, Vice President Leni Robredo’s spokesman told Malacanang on Tuesday.
This was the response of lawyer Barry Gutierrez after his counterpart Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque dared Robredo to come up with her own solutions without a vaccine.
Gutierrez said he could not understand why there is nothing the government can do when health experts have suggested ways to address the COVID-19 problems.
On Monday, President Duterte once again defended his administration’s COVID-19 response efforts as he insisted that the only thing people could do is wear face masks and just wait for a vaccine.
His spokesman then challenged Robredo to come up with a solution to resolve the pandemic that will not depend on a vaccine. In doing so, she can become the country’s president if her plan succeeds, Roque said.
But Gutierrez said they can do more in the fight against COVID-19 if they would only consider suggestions of health experts.
“Tuwing may malaking problema, ang sagot na lang nila sa ating lahat, ‘Walang solusyon,’” Gutierrez, who is also a legal adviser to Robredo, noted.
“Subukan kaya niyong basahin din minsan ang mga rekomendasyon ng mga doktor at ibang eksperto...para hindi naman kayong nagmumukhang inutil lagi,” he said.
The vice president earlier listed what she believed the “main challenges” that should be addressed by the government during the crisis.
Among these include overcoming humanitarian emergencies including poverty, hunger, unemployment, mental distress, and other COVID-19 problems; restructuring public and private finances; and rebuilding an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economy.