OVP hopes for intensified COVID-19 testing after Duterte realization

After President Rodrigo Duterte “realized” the importance of mass testing months into the coronavirus pandemic, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) expressed hope that the government would intensify testing efforts.

In Vice President Leni Robredo’s weekly radio show, her spokesman Barry Gutierrez said nothing is ever too little, too late in the country’s battle against COVID-19.

“Nagpapasalamat na lang ako. Sa panahon ng krisis… bawat bagay na kahit papaano may maitutulong, dapat siguro magpasalamat na lang tayo,” he said.

Duterte said in his latest national address that he had finally realized how important testing was in curbing COVID-19 infections.

“Ang importante pala, I realize now, it’s the testing… Kasi mahal, I’m trying to figure out a cheaper way of doing it,” he said last week.

Netizens were quick to point out that they had long been urging the government to conduct mass testing, prompting Malacañang to insist that the government had always prioritized COVID-19 testing.

Gutierrez said Robredo herself had been advocating for mass testing since March.

“Ngayong si Pangulo na ang nagsabi, sana tumigil na ‘yung mga naninira sa social media na dati sinasabihan si VP Leni na, ‘Mali ‘yang mass testing na sinasabi mo, ‘di totoo ‘yan,’” he said.

“Kung ‘di sila naniniwala dati kay VP Leni, ‘di sila naniniwala sa mga doktor at iba pang eksperto, siguro naman ngayon maniniwala na sila dahil si Pangulong Duterte na ang nagsabi.” — DVM, GMA News