PRRD to name critics lambasting gov’t Covid-19 response

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte reviews a document before addressing the nation on the government’s efforts against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on April 16, 2020. KARL NORMAN ALONZO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — Apparently piqued by the rants against the government’s response to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in the country, President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he is bent on naming his critics who have done nothing but criticize his administration.

In his televised address, Duterte said the move was meant to caution Filipinos against those who keep on blabbering on the government’s alleged mishandling of the Covid-19 crisis.

“For the sake of the country, I will identify ‘yung mga Pilipino na walang ginawa kung hindi mag-batikos, mag-hanap ng mali para lang may masabi at marinig sila ng mga tao (For the sake of the country, I will identify Filipinos who have done nothing criticize and find fault because they want to be heard by the public),” he said.

Duterte and his administration have imposed stricter measures to fight Covid-19, which include the implementation of an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) on the island of Luzon.

Despite this, Duterte’s detractors are claiming that the government’s efforts are not enough to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Duterte advised his fellow countrymen not to listen to his critics.

He also alluded that “some women” from the opposition are politicking amid the health crisis. He, however, did not mention any names.

“Yakyak ng yakyak. Sa panahon nila, wala namang ginawa. Puro corruption. Mga nagmamalinis. Huwag kayong makinig diyan (They keep on yakking but during their time, they have done nothing. They are involved in corruption and yet, they are still washing hands. Do not listen to them),” Duterte said.

Duterte earlier accused the opposition of launching “black propaganda” against his administration amid the health crisis.

In his latest statement, Duterte slammed his detractors anew, telling them that all they do is “criticize and talk.”

“Ito lang ang tanong: Dumaan naman kayo. Ano ang nagawa ninyo para sa bayan? Iyan. ‘Pag sinabi niyo wala akong nagawa, okay wala. Eh kayo (This is my only question: You had the power. What have you done for the country? If you’d tell me, I’ve done nothing, that’s fine. How about you)? What have you done for the country except to talk and criticize and talk?” Duterte said.

“I am telling you everything… Iyan ang iwasan ninyo. Iyan ang naglalaro ng politika. And for so many years, ilang taon na sila diyan, puro posturing (Avoid the critics. Avoid them because they Are politicking. And for so many years that they were in power, all they do is posturing),” he said.

In a virtual press briefing earlier Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque told members of the opposition and the communist movement that instead of criticizing the government, they should help in the fight against Covid-19.

The call was made amid the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the country. As of April 16, around 5,660 Covid-19 infections have been recorded in the Philippines.