By Mario B Casayuran Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘’Bong’’ Go on Friday denounced the malicious and false claims on coronavirus (COVID-19)-related issues that have been circulating around social media. Neophyte Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go
(FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) Go said government agencies and private entities mentioned in the false narratives also condemned the orchestrated black propaganda being spread while the country is already burdened by the health emergency. In a related development, Go said he, President Duterte and the Duterte administration continue to call on the people to help one another and community cooperation to overcome the public health crisis. ‘’Welcome dapat lahat ng mga gustong tumulong. Welcome rin ang mga bumabatikos na magbigay ng kanilang rekomendasyon,’’ Go said. (We welcome those who want to help. We also welcome critics who have their own recommendations,) ‘’Maging parte sana tayong lahat ng solusyon at hindi dumagdag sa problema. Kaya sa mga opisyal diyan na hindi naman nakakatulong, just quarantine your mouth o umalis ka nalang,’’ he said. (Be a part of the solution, not one to be part of the problem. These officials who are not helping any, just quarantine your mouths or just quit.) Go did not identify who the officials are but the current COVID-19 crisis is highlighted by a row between Vice President Leni Robredo and the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission (PACC) on the former’s alleged acts that appeared to compete with the Duterte administration’s help to the Filipino people. “Kapag meron na namang lalabas bukas, sigurado paninira at fake news na naman yan. Aabutan din sila ng karma, huwag kayong mag-alala,” Go said. (It is possible that subsequent claims tomorrow would be fake news. Their karma will hit them later on, don’t worry.) The Medical City released a statement on Thursday morning saying, “There are news circulating that a raid of PPEs occurred in our premises on the evening of April 1. We deny this and encourage everyone to be careful in spreading unverified information.” The fake news being circulated mentioned that a hospital raid took place on April 1 inside The Medical City in Pasig City. It also claimed that seized items are being repackaged and labeled for distribution to other medical facilities. The Lucio Tan Group of Companies also recently released their statement explaining that they responded to the call for donations and Go simply helped in facilitating the immediate distribution of personal protective equipment to medical frontliners. Part of their statement said, “Due to numerous requests for assistance we have received, we have asked guidance from the Office of Senator Bong Go, in his capacity as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, in identifying beneficiaries which, in this instance, are the medical front-liners in Cavite. It is unfortunate that some quarters are misconstruing Senator Go’s advice due to labels on the packaging which the Senator has no knowledge of.” Photos of donated boxes are being circulated on social media claiming that Go labeled these boxes to claim ownership of the donations, an accusation the LT group vehemently disproved. The Bureau of Customs (BOC) also released a Notice to the Public saying that publicized complaints allegedly involving the BOC-DHL in the delayed release of medical donations because it has to be marked with the Senator’s name are false and untrue. Given the urgency of the situation, BOC is implementing a policy where shipments are “expeditiously processed and released…within the day to recipients as reflected in the covering Airway Bills.” This is pursuant to the provisions of the ‘’Bayanihan to Heal as One Act’’ calling on agencies to streamline and expedite distribution of emergency medical supplies and equipment, among others. Meanwhile, the OCD that was tasked by the President to take charge in consolidating donations of medical supplies and equipment intended for the national government and the Department of Health (DOH) so that these can be efficiently distributed to government health facilities, also clarified that there is no truth to allegations that medical donations are being funneled and politicized in Malasakit Centers. “To be clear, donations are NOT collected and are NOT distributed in Malasakit Centers. Moreover, Senator Bong Go does not and will not interfere with the task of the OCD. We are well-informed through our communication with their office that Senator Go connects private donors directly to their intended beneficiaries and helps facilitate the delivery of the donations,” said OCD’s statement. In connection with this, Go already clarified that he has no involvement in the distribution of donations intended for the government. Go said his office simply acts as a bridge to connect private donors to their intended beneficiaries and to help facilitate immediate distribution of the donations. The senator also clarified on the issue of donations from private donors where his name is printed on the labels being distributed in many hospitals. He explained that these private donors only wanted to acknowledge that they have sent donations and assistance with the help of his office. Go urged everyone to contribute in making sure that much needed medical supplies and equipment reach medical frontliners instead of wasting time spreading malicious information.