‘OMG!’ Zubiri in disbelief at Duque’s claim Philippines ‘flattened’ COVID-19 curve

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday questioned Health Secretary Francisco Duque III's claim that the Philippines successfully "flattened" the COVID-19 curve as early as April.

"OMG! Dear Secretary Duque, with all due respect, please tell us what curve is flattening?" Zubiri, a COVID-19 survivor, said in a message sent to reporters.

"The only thing that is flat are the backs of all the poor patients in fully occupied COVID wards all around Metro Manila fighting for their lives! Huwag magbulag-bulagan, and act to stop the surge instead of imagining it," he added.

During a pre-SONA forum, Duque claimed the country has been successful in flattening the curve as early as three months ago.

Senator Sonny Angara, another lawmaker who recovered from the virus, said he does not buy Duque's announcement.

"If he said that three weeks ago, I might have believed him but the hospital COVID wards are filling up again. There seem to be less people dying but cases seem to be on the up," he said in a separate message.

"The WHO said a few months ago that there can be no real solution if we are not candid enough to admit the true state of affairs," he added.

Duque, later on, took back what he said and clarified that the epidemiological curve was "bent" in April after strict lockdowns were implemented in March.

He said the current increase in cases can be attributed to the expanded testing capacity and community transmission as eased protocols allowed the movement of people.

As of July 15, the Philippines recorded 58,850 cases of COVID-19 with 20,976 recoveries and 1,614 deaths.

Duque calls Zubiri

In an update, Zubiri said Duque called him to apologize for the confusion he has caused. The Senate leader said he reminded the Cabinet official to be more circumspect in making such pronouncements.

"I'm sure he is under a lot [of] pressure plus the fact that a new member of the Cabinet tested positive for COVID is adding to that. As I said, just tell the truth and give us the guidance on what to do," he said.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, who was recently announced as the government's isolation czar for the pandemic, has tested positive for the disease. — BM, GMA News