While the Duterte administration seems to be obsessed with blaming Vice President Leni Robredo for the country’s woes, her spokesman said on Tuesday, March 9, she would continue to stay focused on her program of service to the Filipino people.
“Sa kanila na yang puro paninisi, itutuloy na lang namin ang trabaho (They can keep blaming, we’re just going to work),” lawyer Ibarra Gutierrez said in a statement.
This came a few hours after President Duterte said during his pre-recorded public address on Monday night that Robredo should “shut up” about China’s Coronavac vaccine.
“This administration spends more time attacking Leni Robredo than responding to the real, urgent problems of our people and nation,” Gutierrez said.
“Kulelat tayo sa pagkuha ng bakuna? Awayin si Leni Robredo. Mabagal ang pagtugon sa bagyo at baha? Siraan si Leni Robredo. Milyon milyon ang nawalan ng trabaho? Insultuhin si Leni Robredo (Last to get the vaccines? Fight with Leni Robredo. Slow response to the typhoon and flooding? Smear Leni Robredo. Millions losing their jobs? Insult Leni Robredo),” he added.
Gutierrez scoffed at claims that the current administration is not politicizing the vice president's observations on its performance.
On Monday night, Duterte said he did not get sensitive to Robredo, but rather he was angry at her for “creating uncertainty and doubt in the minds of the people” about China’s Sinovac.
The Chief Executive was reacting to Robredo’s statement that those who are so sensitive are bound to lose. She said this after Duterte lambasted her during last week’s public address.
Robredo called out the government for seemingly bypassing a step in the approval for the distribution of Sinovac. She backed a health workers’ group that’s pushing for a review of Sinovac by the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC).
HTAC was created under the Universal Health Care Law to review the cost and ethical and community impact of health technologies that will be introduced to the public. Included for review are medicines, vaccines, and health devices.
The assessment, according to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, is only recommendatory but Robredo argued it will help boost public confidence in Sinovac.