Project ARK leader apologizes over 'ignorance on the part of LGUs' remark

The head of Project ARK (Antibody Rapid Test Kit) has apologized to the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) over a remark she made on national TV that did not sit well with local government officials.

Dr. Minguita Padilla said she already reached out to Marinduque Governor Presbitero Velasco Jr., the LPP president, after the governors demanded an apology from her on May 27 for supposedly blaming the problem on stranded OFWs in Metro Manila to the "ignorance on the part of the LGUs" that refused to accept them.

The comment was made during a May 25 televised meeting of President Rodrigo Duterte with the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) regarding the COVID-19 situation in the Philippines.

“I emailed to him a letter to explain the context in which the edited news sound bite was lifted and I apologized for the hurt feelings the misunderstanding caused,” she told GMA News Online via a written statement.

“There was no intention to insult or degrade anyone. He sent word through a mutual friend that my apology was accepted and my explanation was clear.”

Padilla said Velasco asked for a copy of the letter, which she also sent to his residence. She said she sent the letter to Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) Quirino Governor Dakila Cua as well.

“He posted my letter in their ULAP chat group and assured me that the explanation and apology was well received... We agreed that we had so much work to do in service to our fellow men, and working together would be best,” she said.

On Monday, however, the LPP issued a statement calling for Padilla’s public apology. “Otherwise, the League will pass a Resolution declaring her persona non grata in all 81 provinces,” the group said.

On Tuesday, the group issued yet another statement reiterating that Padilla should make her apology public.

“Since her statement was done publicly, her private letter to the undersigned is not the proper way for her to sincerely own up to her mistake,” Velasco said in the latest statement.

“The responsible thing to do, is for her to issue or post a public apology in social media for her insulting and arrogant remarks against all LGUs,” he added.

Padilla said she would rather not comment on the matter anymore, adding the issue is already water under the bridge.

“I hope you understand why I no longer wish to dwell on this issue. It would be like beating a dead horse. But if my letter of apology was not sufficient, and my explanation was not enough, then that's beyond my control,” she added.

GMA News Online asked Project ARK for Padilla’s comment on the group’s demand for a public apology but has yet to receive a reply. --KBK, GMA News