Why was the Philippines’ COVID-19 response slow? Isko says 'nauuna ang away'

Presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said the blame game hampered the country's COVID-19 response.

“Nauuna kasi ang away (The blame game comes first)," Moreno said in an interview with broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez aired on Saturday.

The mayor said he does not want to point fingers at anyone, but the government should set a goal. 

“In a pandemic situation like this there is no playbook. I don’t want to point fingers on all the things in the situation right now kasi hindi naman lahat kasalanan nila (because not all of them are to blame). May mga kasalanan din naman ang ilan (A few of them committed mistakes). We have to set our goal,” he said.

Moreno made the response after Sanchez observed that Americans can now watch concerts in person, yet Filipinos still deal with stay-at-home orders to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The Philippines dropped back to the bottom of the Bloomberg COVID Resilience Ranking, again making the country the worst place to be during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the latest Bloomberg report, which was released last week, the Philippines was ranked last among 53 countries with a score of 48.3.

If he is elected president, Moreno said he will improve the quality of life of the people by providing more healthcare facilities and jobs.

“Maitaas mo lang yung kalidad ng pamumuhay I think unti unti papanatag ang tao magkakaroon ng sense of pride, yung dignity,” he said.

(If you can raise the quality of life of the people, I think little by little, people will feel assured and there will be a sense of pride and dignity.)

On war on drugs, Moreno said human rights must not be violated.

Asked if he wanted to be feared in order for people to follow, Moreno said, “Fear will not bring you anything or bring you somewhere. It's temporary but pag may respeto kahit na mahaba na ang panahon may bago kang polisiya susundin agad yun (If there is respect, even if it's been a long time, if you have a new policy that will be followed immediately).”

Moreno said the rule of law must be observed and contracts or agreements must be respected with the regard to the West Philippine Sea issue.

Days before the official start of the campaign period, the Manila mayor said that he is ready and confident to face whatever issues arise. 

“Twenty-three years na ako in public service. You have never heard na kaso na nagtagumpay. I was always accused of something,” he said.

(I have been in public service for 23 years. You have never heard of cases that have succeeded. I was always accused of something.)

Asked about the possible manipulation of election results, Moreno said, “Eh diba the voice of the people is the voice of God, so I continue to believe yung tadhana iuuwi Niya.”

(There is a saying that the voice of the people is the voice of God, so I continue to believe that destiny is up to God.) — VBL, GMA News