Duterte should be commended for COVID-19 response, says Isko Moreno

President Rodrigo Duterte should be given credit for the successes of his administration's efforts to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said on Friday.

During his visit to Bulacan province, Moreno said the national government's recent three-day vaccination drive should be commended amid the confusion that hounded the country's pandemic response.

"Pangamba at takot sa impeksyon, pangamba at takot sa hanapbuhay, dahil dito, nagdulot ito ng konting pagkakalito. But life must go on. We give credit where credit is due,” Moreno said.

(The concerns and fears on the COVID-19 infection have caused confusion. But life must go on. We give credit where credit is due.)

“Totoo naman kapuri-puri 'yung ginawa ni Pangulong Duterte at ng IATF, kung saan 'yung mga lokal na pamahalaan na nabakunahan na namin. Lahat tumulong naman sa probinsya, which ginawa namin,” he added.

(It is true that what President Duterte and the IATF did was commendable when it comes to the vaccination drive. We all helped even those in the provinces.)

The Philippine government conducted a three-day national vaccination drive so that more Filipinos could be protected against the deadly virus.

A total of 7.6 million individuals were inoculated against COVID-19 during the three-day national vaccination drive, almost meeting the 9 million target.

Moreno said that while the Duterte administration is not perfect, the President  still listens to the public and corrects the wrongdoings of individuals who are working under his administration.

He cited the use of face shields as an example, saying that Duterte decided to no longer require the use of face shields in non-hospital settings.

“May mga bagay na di perpekto. Pero as long as nakikinig 'yung leader doon sa talbog o pagkakadapa ng kanyang mga tao at ikino-correct naman niya, that’s what you call learning the lesson and moving forward,” Moreno said.

(Some things are not perfect. But as long as the leader listens to his constituents and he's correcting the mistakes, that’s what you call learning the lesson and moving forward.)

“Tulad halimbawa 'yung sa face shield, in-argue ko 'yung isang ahensya ng gobyerno pero nakita mo naman dininig ni President Duterte 'yung request ng taumbayan. Ako, in-echo ko lang naman,” he added.

(Like in the case of face shields, the President listened to the appeal of the public. I just echoed their sentiments.)

Further, Moreno said history would be the one that will judge the President and how he fulfilled his promises to Filipinos.

Moreno is the standard bearer of Aksyon Demokratiko.

He earlier said he would welcome any support for his candidacy, including the possibility of Duterte endorsing him after the latter's longtime aide, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, bared that he will withdraw his candidacy in the presidential race. — RSJ, GMA News