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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gov't gets the blame whether it's right or wrong — Duterte

Gov't gets the blame whether it's right or wrong — Duterte

Published Apr 28, 2021 10:39 pm

The ultimate blame of the people is on the government, “whether we are in the right or in the wrong,” President Duterte said on Wednesday, April 28, as he mulls using “police power” to “control whatever there is to control.”

President Rodrigo Duterte delivers a televised address on April 28, 2021 (Malacañang)

During his weekly address to the nation, the Chief Executive lamented how Filipinos are violating the laws while government gets the blame.

“Alam ko (I know) the ultimate blame is always the government, whether we are in the right or in the wrong, gobyerno talaga 'yan (It’s really the government),” he said.

“I would like to be somebody governing but not really necessarily going to the extreme. But apparently, not all but there are a lot of you out there violating and violating and repeatedly violating the laws,” Duterte added.

The COVID-19 pandemic “is not only a medical issue,” the President said. Instead, “it is now of national interest and maybe the survival of the Filipinos.”

He warned that when there is a national health emergency, he can call on “the power of the state to control whatever there is to control.”

“Police power can be exercised to control crime, promote public interest, promote public health. Kasali ‘yan sa power ng President (That’s part of the power of the President),” Duterte said.

Frustrated at Filipinos who “keep on violating the law,” the President noted that nothing will happen if this continues.

The Philippines breached the millionth mark on COVID-19 positive cases on April 26, Monday. Today, the Department of Health (DOH) recorded a total of 1,020,495 cases with 67,769 active cases, 935,695 recovered cases, and a 1.67 percent fatality rate.

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President Duterte covid-19 Talk to the People police power pandemic
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