Risa: Fallen health workers not fortunate, shouldn't have died in the first place

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday disagreed with President Rodrigo Dutertre's statement on Monday night that the health workers who died in the fight against COVID-19 were fortunate to have died such a death.

In a Facebook post, Hontiveros said that the country's frontliners would not have succumbed to death if the country was not facing a lack of personal protective equipment (PPEs).

"Hindi po ‘swerte’ ang mga health workers na namatay dahil sa COVID-19," Hontiveros said in a Facebook post.

"Our health workers should not have been dying in the first place if they had been given ample PPEs and access to testing," she added.

According to Hontiveros, since the president has signed the law allowing him to exercise additional powers against the virus, there was no more reason for more health workers dying in the war against COVID-19.

 "Ngayong may special powers and funds, no more excuses," the senator said.

Duterte on Monday night again paid tribute to the country's frontliners against COVID-19, saying the health workers who died in the war against the virus were fortunate to die in the line of duty.

In his nationally televised address, Duterte expressed his gratitude to all the doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, police, soldiers, civil servants and essential service workers of the private sector.

“I assure you that your efforts will be rewarded. Your heroism will not be forgotten. Saludo kami sa inyo,” Duterte said.

"May doktor, mga nurses namatay, sila 'yong nasawi ang buhay para lang makatulong sa kapuwa. Napakasuwerte nila. Namatay sila para sa bayan," he added.

"'Yon ang dapat rason na bakit tayo mamatay," Duterte said. -NB, GMA News