What has the opposition camp done for the nation as the country deals with the pandemic?
The opposition did nothing but complain and criticize the government instead of providing help in preventing the coronavirus outbreak from spiraling out of control, according to President Duterte.
In a televised address Thursday, May 13, the President railed against the opposition forces for "raising so many issues" like the West Philippine Sea rather than offer suggestions on improving hospital capacity and relief assistance.
"At itong oposisyon dapat tingnan ng taong-bayan ngayong Pilipinas, tingnan ninyo kung ano ang ginagawa. Sa halip na magsalita kung ano, kung paano pa dagdagan 'yong pondo para sa ayuda o papaano dagdagan pa 'yong tulong ng mga kama, baka sakali talagang it might go out of control spreading a wildfire, they don't do that (The public should take a look at the opposition in the Philippines, looked at what they have done. Instead of suggesting how to increase funds for aid or increase bed capacity since it might go out of control and spread a wildfire, they don't do that)," he said.
"Maghanap ng issue ng dagat, ng ano, kaya kayong people of the Republic of the Philippines, pag-aralan ninyong mabuti. Ito 'yong mga tao na walang ginagawa kung hindi magreklamo (They instead look for issues in the sea. So people of the Republic of the Philippines, better study hard. These people have done nothing but complain)," he added.
The President also resented the opposition for highlighting "nonsense" instead of helping out in the pandemic response.
"Ano bang problema nitong (What's the problem with) raising so many issues, nonsense and trivia just because they want to be heard?" he said.
The President issued the statement after drawing criticisms over the government's alleged poor pandemic response as well as sluggish vaccination effort. The country's cases of coronavirus have skyrocketed to more than 1.1 million with deaths reaching over 18,000 since the outbreak hit last year.
As the government moves to curb the coronavirus outbreak, the President has also earned flak over his supposed weak stance in defending the West Philippine Sea from the latest incursion of China.
Manila recently protested the unlawful presence of hundreds of Chinese vessels in local waters and demanded the pullout of these ships. Some ships left the Julian Felipe Reef, located within the country's exclusive economic zone, but other vessels reportedly dispersed to other parts of the West Philippine Sea.
The President, in his remarks Thursday, urged Filipinos to review the action of the opposition during the pandemic, saying they will judge them someday. He could not hide his dismay when his rivals had a chance to lead the country during the past administration.
"You were all witnesses. Lahat tayong buhay pa noong simulang --- previous administration. Nakita naman ninyo, nakita ninyo kung ano ang ginawa nila sa Pilipinas (We were all alive during the previous administration. You have seen what they did to the Philippines)," he said.
"Gusto kong magtanong, anong magagawa mo? Iyan huwag ninyong kalimutan --- huwag ninyong kalimutan kasi pagdating ng araw kayo rin ang maghuhusga. Kayo, kayo ang bahala (I want to ask, what can you do? Do not forget because you will be the judge someday. It's up to you)," he said.