Palace to Robredo: Gov’t took right steps in addressing COVID-19 crisis

Malacañang on Thursday defended the Philippines’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic after Vice President Leni Robredo accused the government of failing to act urgently at the start of the public health crisis in January.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Philippines could have already registered millions of infections and at least 200,000 deaths had the government failed to impose a nationwide lockdown, which is among the longest in the world.

“Buong mundo po, we’re far from beating COVID-19. I hope the Philippines can break this worldwide trend,” Roque said in a televised briefing.

“Tingin ko po tama ang mga hakbang na ginawa natin although we strive to do better at tignan po natin kung meron pang mga bagong istratehiya.”

Speaking to ANC television earlier in the day, Robredo lamented the supposed gaps in the Philippines’ coronavirus response

She pointed to the alleged delay in the procurement of personal protective equipment and the late implementation of inbound travel restrictions, especially for people coming from China, where the virus was first detected in December last year.

The opposition leader also claimed that President Rodrigo Duterte’s weekly report to Congress on his use of special powers to tackle the public health emergency lacked substance.

Roque replied by urging Robredo to ask the government “what she needs to know.”

“We will respond. That’s part of my duty as spokesperson,” he said.

As of Wednesday, the Philippines had 32,295 COVID-19 cases, with 1,204 deaths and 8,656 recoveries. — RSJ, GMA News