Charles Teves
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque challenged Vice President Leni Robredo to introduce a viable solution to solve the pandemic after the latter said that waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine is “not enough”, which is exactly President Rodrigo Duterte’s current plan.
“Hinahamon ko po si VP Leni, kung mayroon siyang solusyon na walang vaccine at wala pa rin gamot, sabihin niya po dahil sigurado po baka ngayon din maging presidente siya kung makahanap siya ng solusyon habang walang bakuna at walang gamot,” Roque said in a Palace press briefing.
“Habang wala talagang bakuna, habang walang gamot, wala pa rin po talagang solusyon sa pandemyang ito,” he added.
Vice Presidential Spokesperson Barry Gutierrez understandably shared a concurring sentiment with Robredo.
“Tuwing may malaking problema, ang sagot na lang nila sa ating lahat, ‘walang solusyon.’ Subukan kaya niyong basahin din minsan ang mga rekomendasyon ng mga doktor at ibang eksperto–ilang beses na ring ipinaabot ni VP Leni sa IATF yung marami dito–para hindi naman kayong nagmumukhang inutil lagi,” Gutierrez said in a statement.
Robredo on Monday said that the pandemic’s damage can be lessened by “medical and non-medical” interventions, adding that the government must “overcome humanitarian emergencies” caused by the coronavirus such as unemployment, hunger, and poverty.
This came after Duterte said in his late-night address on Monday that a vaccine is the only thing that can solve the pandemic.
Robredo tweeted possible interventions that could be effective in lessening problems brought by the pandemic.
Watched the regular Monday Presscon tonight.
Di ko matiis magkaroon ng takeaways. Hindi yata sapat na basta may ospital, kama at punerarya, ang kailangan nalang gawin ay maghintay ng vaccine.
Eto po yung mga main challenges na identified ngayon at kailangan natin pagtulungan: pic.twitter.com/nMb01qjZcI
— Leni Robredo (@lenirobredo) September 21, 2020
Netizens reacted to Roque’s challenge to Robredo.
Putangina mo roque, ilang solusyon at mungkahi na in-offer ni Robredo, wala naman kayong pinakinggan. https://t.co/Fcpgw38CFG
— MrChoco😎 (@TheProphetChoco) September 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/jlosillos/status/1308294870642040832?s=20
seeing roque challenging Ms. Robredo makes me want to punch him in the throat.
— ray (@rayblng) September 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/KelvinCasamayor/status/1308270811636088832?s=20
Dami na niyang suggestions – detalyado, klaro, madaling intindihin. Pwede ring gayahin niyo lahat ng ginagawa ng opisina niya. Mas SOLUSYON yun kesa yung dolomite niyo at bantay-bakuna drahmah
— mindyourownbeeswax (@coffeeb4fxn) September 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/NoodleGuy6/status/1308284145601097729?s=20
Malakas maka stress tong si Roque!
— finnukyunukyu (@finnukyunukyu) September 22, 2020
A big joke government employee👎🏻pea-sized brain🙄
— Verta (@vertacoy) September 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/icoysantos/status/1308291889095798784?s=20
Robredo’s previous advice was to have the 10 million poorest families in the country receive a monthly budget of P5,000 for four months to help them thrive in this trying time.
She was praised by the public and still is getting praised.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak in the Philippines, the Office of the Vice President has set up a Community Mart, designed and donated PPEs to hospitals and medical workers, started Bayanihan e-Skwela to teach both teachers and parents things they can learn amid the pandemic, and had free shuttle service to assist frontliners and workers to and from work.
