By Raymund Antonio Vice President Leni Robredo on April 19, Sunday, urged her fellow public officials help each other improve efforts in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This was Robredo’s message when asked by her radio show co-host Ely Saludar about the senators’ call for the resignation of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. Vice President Leni Robredo (Charlie Villegas, OVP / MANILA BULLETIN) “Iyong pinakamahalaga dito, may recognition na maraming pagkukulang. Iyong pagkukulang na iyon, kasalanan man ng Department of Health (DOH), kasalanan ng ibang ahensya, pagtulong-tulungan natin (The most important thing is recognition that there have been many shortcomings. These shortcomings, whether or not it was the fault of the DOH or of other agencies, let us just help each other to address them),” she said on her radio show “BISErbisyong Leni.” The vice president said that government officials should not be fighting at a time when the country is battling a “common enemy.” “Sana iyong away iyon ang iwasan natin kasi iyon nga nasa giyera tayo, magkakampi dito tayong lahat (I hope we will avoid fights because we are already at war and we all belong on the same side),” she said. At least 14 senators signed a resolution filed last week calling for Duque’s resignation over his “failure of leadership, negligence, lack of foresight, and inefficiency in performance” in addressing the virus outbreak. But President Duterte already made a decision to keep Duque in his Cabinet, according to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea. Robredo recognized the rights of senators to pass a resolution and criticized Duque over his failed leadership, but she argued his fate lies in the hands of Duterte. “The nature of work of a Cabinet secretary is an alter ego of the President. This means he serves at the pleasure of the President. So whether or not there is a resolution, it’s up to the decision of the President to remove him,” she said in Filipino. Robredo then advised her fellow government officials to be open to criticisms aimed at improving their efforts in the fight against COVID-19. “Kaya kung anuman iyong pagkukulang, pag-usapan, maging bukas na tanggapin ito. Sa pagiging bukas ay palitan iyong hindi tamang ginagawa (So whatever the shortcomings are, we should discuss them, be open to accepting them. We have to change what isn’t right),” she said.