Isko to Duterte: Remove officials insensitive to people's plight

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Wednesday appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to remove government officials who failed to address the plight of people amid COVID-19 pandemic.

In an event at the Arroceros Urban Forest Park Redevelopment in Manila, Moreno once again aired his frustration on the government's purchase of overpriced  face shields instead of buying COVID-19 drugs for patients.

"Bilyon ang ginastos ninyo sa plastic na walang bisa pero wala tayong remdesivir, tocilizumab. Ni hindi ninyo maibigay yung marapat sa health worker. Tapos kung makapag-Pharmally kayo para kayong family," he said, referring to Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, which was linked to the procurement of highly expensive COVID-19 supplies, including face shields.

(You spent billions of pesos for a plastic that isn't effective but we don't have remdesivir, tocilizumab. You can't even give what is due to health workers. Then you  sided with Pharmally like your own family.

"Ako ayaw ko ng away e... Ang hirap kausap ng bingi... Sa atin, wala kasi silang idea. Sila namumuhay sa Disneyland, hindi na sa reality," the Manila mayor added.

(I don't want to start a fight.. But it is difficult to talk to someone who doesn't listen... They don't have an idea. They are living in Disneyland, not in reality.)

Amid the rising fatalities caused by COVID-19, He then started to urge the President to remove officials who do not care about their constituents.

"Namamatay ang tao, brad, nangangamatay ang tao, ako nananawagan ah gusto niyo lumuhod pa ako. Nananawagan ako sa inyo Mr. President tanggalin ninyo yung mga taong walang malasakit sa kapwa niya," Moreno said.

(People are dying, people are dying, I am begging you, if you want I can kneel before you. I am asking you Mr. President, please remove officials who do not care about their people.)

Moreno also denied that his criticisms against the purchase of face shields is not about his political plans.

"'Wag na kayo makipagkulitan sa'kin. Walang bisa ang face shield, bakit ba yan pinipilit nyo?  Gamot, gamot, gamot ang kailangan ng tao. Umiiyak ang mga nanay yung anak nila severe, umiiyak mga anak, apo, tiyuhin nila,  kaibigan nila di mabigyan ng tamang lapat tapos ito politika," he added.

(Stop reiterating, face shields. Face shields are not effective. Why are you forcing it? We need medicines. Mothers are dying because their kids are severely infected. Their relatives could not be treated, then you say that my criticisms are just politics?)

Moreno's recent statements came after Palace spokesman Harry Roque had defended the requirement of face shields, linking Moreno's criticism of the policy to politics. 

"Gaya po ni Vice President Leni Robredo, kandidato rin po iyan [Just like Vice President Leni Robredo, he is a candidate]," Roque said.

"Asahan na natin ang ganitong mga salita dahil kailangan nilang ligawan ang mga mamamayan [We should expect these comments because they want to court voters]," he added.

At one point, Moreno dared that they will face these officials in October 2021, which is also the month set for certificates of candidacy for Eleksyon 2022.

"Anyway, kakaharapin ko naman kayo sa Oktubre. Bago dumating ang Oktubre, bumili muna kayo ng tocilizumab ngayon. (Anyway, I will face them in October. Before that happens, buy tocilizumab first.)," he pointed out.

Further, Moreno repeated his calls to Duterte to dismiss these officials.

"Kaya ako Mr. President, nakikisuyo lang, we still have eight months . I don't  want to teach you what to do pero nakikiusap lang kami. Nakikiusap lang Mr. President. na tanggalin mo na yung talipandas na kawani ng pamahalaan. Yung walang malasakit," he said.

(So Mr. President, I am asking you, we still have eight months. I don't want to teach you but I am appealing to you to remove those ignorant officials. Those who do not care.)—LDF, GMA News