Roque on critics of Duterte admin's COVID response: 'Inggit lang sila'

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Thursday the critics of the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic were just "envious" of the present administration.

Joining the launch of a mobile contact-tracing app in the City of Manila, Roque said: "Ito po'y mga hakbang na nagpapakita na hindi po totoo ang sinasabi ng mga kritiko ng Duterte administration."

"Inggit lang po sila dahil noong sila'y nakaupo sa pwesto, tingnan niyo kung ano ang ginawa nila doon po sa Visayas nang dumaan po ang bagyong Yolanda," he added.

Roque did not mention any name but Typhoon Yolanda hit the country in November 2013 during the President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III administration.

"Next time po na marinig ninyo ang mga kritiko na nagsasabing 'walang plano,' ang sagot: Kung walang plano bakit number one na ngayon ang Pilipinas sa testing? Kung walang plano bakit automated na ngayon ang tracing sa Pilipinas?" the Palace spokesman said.

"Alam ko po frustating na 'di pa natin napapababa ang mga numero na nagkakroon ng COVID-19 pero huwag niyo pong kakalimutan number 22 naman po tayo sa buong daigdig sa COVID," he added, stressing that some developed countries have worse pandemic figures.

As of September 2, the Philippines recorded a total of 226,440 COVID-19 cases, of whom 158,610 have recovered and 3,623 died. More than 64,000 remain active cases.

Vice President Leni Robredo from the opposition party recently pointed out the government's lack of a clear direction in addressing the COVID-19 crisis, highlighting its impact on public confidence that would in turn affect how the economy would pick up again.

President Rodrigo Duterte told Robredo not to “add fuel to the fire” as this will only destroy the government. —LBG, GMA News