Criticisms, bashing pointless in addressing nCoV threat –Bong Go

Senator Bong Go on Sunday pointed out that criticisms targeted at President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration can't help address the threat of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the country.

Go made the remark after #OustDuterte trended on Twitter Philippines over the weekend, as netizens expressed frustrations over the supposed lack of immediate and sufficient response from the administration after the Health department confirmed the country's first 2019-nCoV case.

In an interview on Dobol B sa GMA News TV, Go said bashers and critics are invited to attend the Senate Committee on Health hearing next week to air their grievances on government's response to the novel coronavirus.

Go chairs the Senate health committee.

"Yung bashers and netizens, imbitado kayong sumali doon, at doon ninyo ilahad ang lahat ng gusto niyong iparating sa mga opisyales, harap-harapan niyong sabihin," he said.

"Kasi hindi nakatutulong yung pambabatikos niyo sa gobyerno at sa mga opisyal. Sa panahong ito, dapat magkaisa, magbayanihan tayo," he added.

Go announced Sunday that Duterte has ordered a temporary travel ban on all travelers coming from China and its special administrative regions Hong Kong and Macau in the face of the 2019-nCoV threat.

He said that before coming up with his decision, the President weighed all sides and considered the recommendations of health authorities.

"Naiintindihan naman natin ang nararamdaman ng bawat Pilipino. Pero gaya ng sinasabi ko, ngayon may desisyon na ang Malacañang, ang ating Office of the President, pero lahat ng desisyon na ginagawa nila ay hindi naman basta-basta sasabihin na bukas, ganito ganyan. Pinag-aaralan nila lahat. Binabalanse nila lahat," he pointed out.

"Intindihin naman natin sila.  Rest assured, inuuna nila ang kapakanan at interes ng bawat Pilipino," he added.

Earlier, Go said he will invite representatives from all concerned agencies such as the Department of Health, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Transportation, and airport officials to the Senate hearing.

He said the Senate door is open to medical experts and infectious disease doctors who have any ideas on how to fight nCoV. —Erwin Colcol/LBG, GMA News