Saying that the government should have an “all-hands-on-deck approach” to the rising cases of COVID-19 in the country, Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday, August 11, called for a “timeout” on politicking as President Duterte hurled insults at a local chief executive.
In a statement, the vice president said that everyone should set aside political differences to address the needs of the people as the National Capital Region (NCR) and other provinces are under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to 20. ECQ is the strictest quarantine classification in the country.
“All-in dapat tayo sa pagtugon sa krisis na ito (We should be all-in in addressing this crisis). All eyes on the surge. Saka na kayo mag-ungkatan ng past (Leave digging the past in another time),” she added.
At this time, Robredo said nothing good will come out of innuendos and quarreling because hospitals are in full capacity and people are getting sick and cannot work.
READ: COVID-19 response is PH's no. 1 priority — Robredo
“Hindi magagamot ng awayan ang COVID patients. Hindi ‘yan ang susi para maging mas efficient ang pagbibigay ng ayuda, bakuna, at iba pang tulong sa ating mga kababayan (Quarreling is not going to treat COVID patients. That is not the key to be more efficient in distributing cash aid, vaccines, and other aids that our people need),” she stated.
The government’s “time and energies” are better spent on helping the people.
“Yong oras at energies na ginugugol sa pasaring at panlalait, magiging mas productive ‘yan kung itulong halimbawa sa Bayanihan E-Konsulta o sa iba pang COVID-related initiatives (The time and energies spent on quips and insults will be more productive if it will help, for example, Bayanihan E-Konsulta or other COVID-related initiatives,” Robredo said.
The statement came at the heels of Malacañang justifying Duterte’s decision to strip an unnamed local chief executive in Metro Manila of the right to distribute cash aid because the mayor apparently has a “disorganized mind.”
READ: ‘Walang kaalam-alam’: Duterte calls out some mayors on disorderly cash aid distribution
Instead, the President ordered the Departments of Local and Interior Government (DILG) and Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to handle the cash aid distribution.
The Chief Executive also mocked the unnamed official for old photos showing him in a “bikini.”
Although Duterte did not name him, only Manila Mayor Isko Moreno is the current sitting local chief executive who starred in numerous films, some of which have steamy scenes. A quick search on the internet will show his old photos as a movie star.
READ: ‘Call boy’ as President? Duterte pokes fun at mayor’s photo in ‘bikini’
Last week, reports also showed throngs of people trooping to vaccination sites in Manila because of fake news and information about not being eligible to receive cash aid without proof that they were vaccinated.
Moreno was awarded by the DILG in June this year for the “efficient and timely completion of the distribution of ayuda (cash aid).”