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- Senate President Tito Sotto said that the senators have been passing laws and doing various sorts of efforts for the local government units as well.
- Other senators expressed their disappointment regarding Moreno’s statements.
Several senators took a swipe at Manila Mayor Isko Moreno after the latter called them out by challenging them to set aside their political differences and focus on measures to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Senate President Vicente Sotto III reminded Moreno that the senators are continuously exerting efforts and have passed laws to address the pandemic.
“Our duty as lawmakers is to promptly pass the enabling law so the executive department can use government funds to respond during this health crisis. We did so in 18 hours,” he wrote on Twitter.
Our duty as lawmakers is to promptly pass the enabling law so the exec dept can use govt funds to respond during this health crisis. We did so in 18 hrs. it’s not our mandate to repack rice and sardines with a complete PR team around us. Some of us do, WITHOUT the PR team!
— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) April 4, 2020
He added that they have been doing more than donating their salaries but never felt the need to publish it.
The Senators have been donating more than just their salaries since day one but never published it!
— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) April 5, 2020
Senator Panfilo Lacson then cited the Bayanihan to Heal as One act passed by the Congress to help local government units, including those in Manila, provide speedy actions amid the pandemic.
Yorme, kaya po namamahagi ngayon ang gobyerno ng tulong pinansyal kasama na ang lungsod ng Maynila ay dahil nagpagod at nagpuyat ang mga senador kahit may banta ng COVID-19 para ipasa ang Bayanihan Act. Iyan kasi ang mandato namin. Mali ang paratang ninyo na wala kaming ginagawa.
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) April 4, 2020
In a Facebook live with his son, Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla, Senator Bong Revilla also admitted he felt hurt when the mayor said that the senators haven’t been helping improve the current situation in the country.
“Sana naman, huwag ganoon. Masakit dahil alam naman natin Yorme, Isko, you’re a very good friend of mine,” he said.
“Alam mo rin naman na lahat kami nagtatrabaho. Hindi kami nagpapabaya. Hindi lang yan, buong Pilipinas kung kaya lang talaga matulungan, gagawin namin, pero siyempre, very limited din.”
https://www.facebook.com/bongrevillajrph/videos/830317460811161/?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBfEWgDYoWAxmBQDe2p38ratlxXLcOZ1oEq46O4VMndfTZmF_uxvEzMt3oJRnSpd0tRnla5ZMP7-mRlLUAAWqvoxiwd4RjpHuzBNkGOInXpjlSd1eep9quMTYmtd6gq0Yvi_pCcc4paEI4SfntyQZ8_mtDNTA7Tc2WLJM8MJihQS_LMcohF6XBbBeYRuKlOj7qM_6OWmCMkkuj3yVPL0Ok41znWg2xVQeQ3zcyjAMsHsbKikKdUtK6GPSf88T0NEgX3YDfOkco1iLfnzifavFMnnvD62Z3f_VEX2hSqdV7kUYxmwZNHLvqp2CMh4gcV__ChP_lgiXutP1D5UvyPUJnQ3iMQEhoQ&__tn__=-R
Senator Dick Gordon also advised everyone to “fix the problem and not fix the blame” in one of his tweets.
Let us fix the problem and not fix the blame. This is our time to work together as one nation. Wala dapat maiiwan. https://t.co/UlY3xEnkqi
— Richard J. Gordon (@DickGordonDG) April 4, 2020
Moreno called out all 24 senators and claimed that they have been missing in action in the middle of the pandemic.
“To the 24 senators, the Cabinet secretaries, my fellow politicians. Now is the time to show your love for your country… Now is the time to show your leadership and compassion. Where are you now? Where? We are looking for you here in Manila.”
He added that he can only see the other politicians on television and yet could not be seen helping out others.
“As city mayor, I am telling you not to go here come the next elections. We can’t feel your presence now, we can only see you in newspapers and television reports.”
