Duterte turns over meeting on COVID-19 to Duque to speed up discussion
Published Mar 9, 2020 12:00 am
By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte has entrusted Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to "handle everything" in a top-level meeting on efforts to contain the spread of the "idiotic" coronavirus.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
At the start of the meeting of the inter-agency task force in Malacañang on Monday, the President admitted that he has limited knowledge about the virus and would rather let Duque lead the meeting and address any concern.
The meeting with concerned government officials was convened by the President shortly after the health authorities confirmed 10 more cases of the coronavirus that brought the total to 20. The Palace earlier announced the President will hold a press conference after the meeting.
"Ganito na lang ang gawin natin, (This is what we’ll do) since I am not really the man who has the --- ... all around knowledge of this coronavirus that is confronting eyeball to eyeball to the nation now. I would rather that after this introduction sa atin dapat na tao magdala nito (after the introduction, he should carry the ball) so that his question will be always relevant," Duterte said in his opening remarks aired live on government television.
Instead of the one explaining the situation, Duterte said it would save time if Duque would address questions about the coronavirus threat in the country.
"I do not have to waste my time explaining because I cannot do it in a jiffy. I will just waste time. If at all just like the layman here, we have a --- at least a working knowledge of what a virus is and how long the incubation takes," he said.
"But as to really the wherewithals of how this idiotic dream of virus translated here in our country and to the world, it would need --- it would need a lot… It would save a lot of time if I would let Dr. Duque handle everything. You can ask the relevant questions and I’m sure that he would know what to ask," he said.
Duterte also called for prayer before the meeting formally started. "You must pray. It’s there. It might save us to heaven," he said.
Upon arrival at the Palace hall, Duterte was seen shaking hands with some government officials attending the meeting. He also greeted Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat with a buss on the cheek.
The Presidential Security Group (PSG) earlier announced that it implemented preventive measures against COVID-1, including a “no-touch policy” to ensure the safety of the President and his family.
PSG Chief Col. Jesus Durante III said personalities who are expected to get near the President during meetings and events will be thoroughly screened and tested for any illness or symptom related to COVID-19. These include PSG personnel, politicians, and other dignitaries.
"Large crowd gatherings with PRRD (the President) as guest of honor and speaker shall be assessed and could be cancelled not only for his safety but also for the attendees. Likewise, all established health protocols and preventive measures are continuously in effect to all PSG personnel and the entire Malacañang Complex,” Durante said.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
At the start of the meeting of the inter-agency task force in Malacañang on Monday, the President admitted that he has limited knowledge about the virus and would rather let Duque lead the meeting and address any concern.
The meeting with concerned government officials was convened by the President shortly after the health authorities confirmed 10 more cases of the coronavirus that brought the total to 20. The Palace earlier announced the President will hold a press conference after the meeting.
"Ganito na lang ang gawin natin, (This is what we’ll do) since I am not really the man who has the --- ... all around knowledge of this coronavirus that is confronting eyeball to eyeball to the nation now. I would rather that after this introduction sa atin dapat na tao magdala nito (after the introduction, he should carry the ball) so that his question will be always relevant," Duterte said in his opening remarks aired live on government television.
Instead of the one explaining the situation, Duterte said it would save time if Duque would address questions about the coronavirus threat in the country.
"I do not have to waste my time explaining because I cannot do it in a jiffy. I will just waste time. If at all just like the layman here, we have a --- at least a working knowledge of what a virus is and how long the incubation takes," he said.
"But as to really the wherewithals of how this idiotic dream of virus translated here in our country and to the world, it would need --- it would need a lot… It would save a lot of time if I would let Dr. Duque handle everything. You can ask the relevant questions and I’m sure that he would know what to ask," he said.
Duterte also called for prayer before the meeting formally started. "You must pray. It’s there. It might save us to heaven," he said.
Upon arrival at the Palace hall, Duterte was seen shaking hands with some government officials attending the meeting. He also greeted Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat with a buss on the cheek.
The Presidential Security Group (PSG) earlier announced that it implemented preventive measures against COVID-1, including a “no-touch policy” to ensure the safety of the President and his family.
PSG Chief Col. Jesus Durante III said personalities who are expected to get near the President during meetings and events will be thoroughly screened and tested for any illness or symptom related to COVID-19. These include PSG personnel, politicians, and other dignitaries.
"Large crowd gatherings with PRRD (the President) as guest of honor and speaker shall be assessed and could be cancelled not only for his safety but also for the attendees. Likewise, all established health protocols and preventive measures are continuously in effect to all PSG personnel and the entire Malacañang Complex,” Durante said.