By Genalyn Kabiling Is the coronavirus pandemic a sign of the end times? President Duterte
(ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/ MANILA BULLETIN) As deadly virus infections rapidly spread around the world, President Duterte has accepted that God could end the world if he wanted to. "Whatever be the correction kung ma-correct itong --- it’s an anomaly sa ating buhay sa mundo. Eh may ganun e (it's an anomaly in our life in the world. It happens) so, if it can be corrected. Lahat naman tayo we only --- if it's time. He created the world, the planet Earth, and if God wants it ended, so be it," he said during his public address Monday night. Duterte made the candid remarks shortly after announcing that the government is inclined to extend the lockdown in Luzon until the end of April. The enhanced community quarantine, which has been in force since March 17, seeks to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). It is supposed to end on April 12. In his latest public message, the President spoke about the grim situation arising from the coronavirus threat, saying people will "suffer" as long as there is no vaccine found for the disease. He noted the increasing death tolls in the United States, Italy, Spain, and France. "The prediction is really dire. For as long as there is no vaccine, or any medicine that these men of science can think of to put an end to it, we will suffer," he said. Duterte admitted the difficulties and uncertainties in addressing the coronavirus emergency, citing the shortage of funds for the COVID-19 response. He said the government was getting "desperate" as the funds amounting to P270 authorized by Congress in the Bayanihan law would not be sufficient. "Hindi ko alam kung kailan kayo sabihan ko sa inyo bahay lang kayo. Hindi ko alam kung kailan ako makahatid ng pagkain sa lahat. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako magkuha ng pera. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang ipagbili ko na may kung may magbibili (I don't know until when I will tell you to stay at home. I don't know when I can bring food to everyone. I don't know where to get the money. I don't know what I will sell if there's a buyer)," he added. Duterte said he has directed Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III to look for additional funds to augment the government's limited resources. He also suggested realigning some items in the 2020 national budget to source more funds for programs such as the social amelioration program for the "poorest of the poor" and possibly the middle-income families. Duterte also warned enemies of the state against testing the government's resolve amid the health crisis. "Sinabi ko na sa inyo huwag. Now ngayon, it’s a thing which is --- I said rampaging all throughout our country and every country for that matter. Huwag ninyong subukan ang gobyerno kasi pati ang gobyerno desperado na (Don't test the government because the government is desperate)," he said. Despite the bleak situation, Duterte has turned to prayer for the nation to overcome the latest health emergency. He asked the nation "to come together this Holy Wednesday afternoon and pay tribute to the indomitable spirit of the Filipino and unite in one prayer to God to fight our common enemy." “Ang mag-ano lang nito God. He’s the only one who can really solve the problem for us,” he said. Duterte remained hopeful that the situation will eventually improve. "Sana next time I will talk to you, baka mag-improve na ang situation (I hope the next time I will talk to you, the situation might have improved),” he said.