Palace on Imee Marcos’ plea for face-to-face classes: ‘Baka naman ma-charm si Presidente’

Malacañang wants to see whether Senator Imee Marcos can convince President Rodrigo Duterte to allow face-to-face classes in areas with low risk of COVID-19 infection.

Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque said on Tuesday that they appreciated the suggestion of Marcos, a political ally of the President.

“Baka naman ma-charm si Presidente dahil sa simula’t simula po, ang rekomendasyon po ng IATF [Inter-Agency Task Force] is to resume face-to-face [classes] in areas na under new normal but let’s wait for the President’s advice,” Roque said in a televised briefing.

“Alam ko naman malakas si Senator Marcos kay Presidente so, we’ll see po if she can convince the President.”

Duterte earlier said he would not allow face-to-face classes until a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available.

However, Marcos said on Monday that schools in areas with a low risk of COVID-19 infection should still follow minimum health standards such as social distancing, wearing of face masks, provision of handwashing facilities, and COVID-19 testing among teachers before being allowed to conduct physical classes.

In pushing for face-to-face classes, the senator said that students in geographically isolated areas may find it difficult to study through remote forms of learning for lack of access to the internet and supervision from teachers.

She also said that there was still no clear plan for TV- and radio-based instructions, and that some children may struggle with the self-learning printed modules that would be distributed by the Department of Education.

The opening of classes is on August 24. — RSJ, GMA News