Duterte's health a concern for all Filipinos -- senators
Every Filipino should be concerned about the state of health of the President, senators said on Tuesday, April 13.
Senators made the remark after a recent Social Weather Station (SWS) survey showed that 65 percent of Filipinos believe the public deserves to be informed of President Duterte’s state of health.
“It’s obvious. People always want to be sure that their leader is safe and healthy,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III said when asked about the survey.
Duterte earlier resurfaced and resumed his Talk of the People on Monday evening after canceling his address last week.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said the meeting was canceled as a precautionary measure after members of the Presidential Security Group tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
During his Monday address, Duterte assured he has no ailment and he intentionally cancelled his regular public address to spite his critics.
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said he hoped that the incident would be the last time that the President would purposely hide from the public again.
“Sinadya daw niya. Sana, huling larong ‘hide-and-seek’ na ito ng Pangulo kasi maraming nag-aalala (He said it was intentional. I hope this is the last 'hide-and-seek' game of the President because a lot of people are worried),” Lacson said on his Twitter post.
“That said, the health condition of any sitting president should be the concern of every Filipino," he said.
“Even VP (Vice President) Leni Robredo had the moral decency to say that she was praying for him,” Lacson pointed out.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, for her part, said she believes the people are not looking for "proof of life" but evidence of his good leadership.
“Hindi naman proof of life ang hinihingi ng tao, kundi (The people are not looking for proof of life but) proof of good and authentic leadership, especially in this pandemic,” Hontiveros said in a separate statement.
“Filipinos want to feel we are cared for by this government and, unfortunately for the president, his presence and availability for photo ops can never substitute for clear, coherent, empathetic and compassionate leadership,” she said.