Cayetano: COVID-19 is the enemy, not the gov't

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday appealed for unity as the country continues to face the threat of COVID-19, stressing that the novel coronavirus is the enemy in this situation and not the government.

"The leadership and members of the House of the People agree with the President that COVID-19 is the enemy, not the Government," Cayetano said in a statement posted on his Facebook page.

"While there are still many more that can and should be done to help the country get through this most difficult period - those fomenting disunity at this time are doing the nation a great disservice by distracting us from the real battle," he added.

Cayetano reiterated the commitment of Congress to work on the passage of the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act and consider the proposed measures of President Rodrigo Duterte for the country to move past the COVID-19 crisis.

"As Representatives of the Filipino People, we are also working closely with our constituents — including many members of the medical field and other frontliners in this war — so that their experience and expertise may guide us in crafting this law," he said.

"No one has a monopoly of good ideas and solutions, and anyone who pretends otherwise is either a liar or a fool. If we want to beat the virus, it is incumbent upon all of us to keep an open mind and not let partisan politics get in the way of doing what is right."

Cayetano urged the public to work together with the government in fighting COVID-19, regardless of what background they come from.

"I urge everyone, please let us work together - Filipinos of all faiths, ideologies, and persuasions - one body, united in defeating COVID-19," he said.

As of August 2, a total of 103,185 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the Philippines, with 2,059 deaths and 65,557 recoveries. —KBK, GMA News