Gordon: The Philippines has not moved forward

Senator Richard J. Gordon on Tuesday, July 27 said the country has not moved forward.

President Duterte, in his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, July 26, assured the private sector that the government is committed ‘’to regain the economic vibrance of the country prior to the (COVID-19) pandemic.’’

Nevertheless, Gordon rued that ‘’we’re still poor, still no jobs, still no plans for the future, gutom pa rin ang mga tao (the people are still hungry).’’

‘’We’re like in a time warp, hindi tayo umusad (we are not moving), nothing has changed, we even got impoverished. We need specifications. I’m fully supportive of the motherhood statements but we should not waste time if we want to get back on our feet,’’ he said.

Gordon lamented that the President;s speech failed to specify how the country would address COVID-19.

‘’Ang mga doctor at nurses laging sinasabi na heroes sila pero delayed ang hazard pay (Although the doctors and nurses are being trumpeted as the country’ heroes, their hazard pay is being delayed),’’ he said.

‘’Kaya nilaban natin na mabakunahan ang mga family members nila (That is why we fought for the vaccination of their family members). Our country is in ICU (intensive care unit) right now. We have to fix our health care system,’’ he added.