Malacañang unsurprisingly issued remarks that they do not agree with Vice President Leni Robredo’s comments on supposed gaps in the government’s pandemic response strategy.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque again reiterated that more deaths would have happened if it weren’t for the government’s intervention.
“Hindi po totoo na hindi sapat ang ating response. Siguro, madali po magpula dahil hindi tayo nasa gitna ng pandemya at hindi tayo ang inaasahang gumalaw. So, napakadali talaga na ika’y magpula,” Roque said in a Palace press briefing.
[It is not true that our response is lacking. Maybe it’s easy to criticize because they are not the ones expected to act in the middle of the pandemic. So, it’s easy for them to criticize.]
Robredo, in a short and succinct public address on Monday, enumerated concrete recommendations to the government to help revive the ailing economy.
She also stressed how important it is to be a voice of clarity and advocate for transparency in COVID-19 measures.
“Paanong magkakaroon ng kumpiyansa kung ni hindi natin masiguro kung saan napupunta ang mga pondo? Paanong magkakakumpiyansa, kung sa tuwing magpe-presscon ang liderato, wala tayong linaw na mahinuha?” Robredo said.
[How can there be confidence when we are unsure of where funds are going? How can there be confidence when every time the leadership holds a press conference, clarity is in short supply?]
“Malinaw na handang sumagwan ang lahat; ang kulang na lang, ‘yung magtututok sa atin sa dapat nating kapuntahan. ‘Yung magtitimon.”
[Clearly, the people are willing to man the oars; what we need is someone to point us towards the proper direction. Someone to steer the ship of state.]
Roque claimed that Duterte does not find fault in Robredo’s activities. To recall, the President did not react well to the VP’s address, accusing her even of “fueling the fire.”
