De Lima scores Duterte for lashing out at frontliners over public plea for ECQ: 'Karapatan nila 'yan'

Senator Leila De Lima on Monday reminded President Rodrigo Duterte that medical frontliners have the right to air their grievances and requests publicly amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the opposition lawmaker said Duterte should have really focused on laying down concrete plans to respond to the health crisis during his fifth State of the Nation Address, especially the support for the health care system and the health workers.

"'Yan naman talaga 'yung inaasahan ng buong bansa noong July 27. Pero wala! Ngayon, nagalit si Duterte sa mga doktor na nagpahayag lang naman ng kanilang mga saloobin. Karapatan nila 'yan," De Lima, detained at Camp Crame, said.

"Habaan na lang muna daw ang pasensya nila. At wala na daw ayuda sa mga mahihirap? Kanya kanya na lang? What a heartless leader," she added.

On Sunday night, Duterte met with Cabinet members to discuss the request of several medical groups to place Metro Manila under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) again, even just for two weeks.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III's recommendation to place the capital region and nearby provinces to a modified ECQ was approved by the President. It shall be imposed from August 4 to 18.

Duterte, nonetheless, ranted against health workers for airing their plea

“There is no need for you and for the guys, 1,000 of you, telling us what to do publicly. You could have just written us a letter. Lahat naman ng sinasabi ninyo sinusunod namin,” he said.

"Do not try to demean government. You are not actually criticizing. You demean my government, your own government... Next time you can just ask for an audience pero wag po kayong magsigaw-sigaw, rebolusyon,” he added.

Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson said the medical frontliners who aired their request were trying to tell the Department of Health (DOH) that it is not steering in the right path.

"The health workers’ plea for a 2-week ECQ is simply telling DOH that we are not moving towards the right direction. If nothing is wrong with the rudder, maybe the ship captain needs immediate replacement," he said.

Lacson maintained that Duque needs to be removed from his post.

Duterte, on the other hand, defended his appointee anew.

“Okay, you want me to fire Duque? Let me be satisfied. Anong kasalanan ng tao? He did not import COVID," the President said.

"He was there all the time and ang infection was overwhelming not only for the Philippines. I do not want to compare it with any country but it was a global thing," he added.—AOL, GMA News