DAVAO CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte asked the people to rally behind his government as he fended off accusations from his critics on the administration’s response to the current pandemic.
“Alam mo itong mga nagbabatikos naman, there will always be a time for everything and I hope that the next time kapag magsabi ako, maniwala kayo,” the President said in a televised address to the nation on Thursday.
“Kasi po ako sabi walang politika hindi na po ako makatakbo. First and last ko ‘to. But for the sake of the country, I will identify ‘yung mga Pilipino na walang ginawa kung hindi magbatikos, maghanap ng mali para lang may masabi at marinig sila ng mga tao.”
He advised the people to ignore those who are engaged in politicking. For years, political enemies who have kept on criticizing the government failed to contribute to the country’s development, he said.
The chief executive told the people to trust his administration saying, “Huwag ho kayong makinig diyan. Dito kayo makinig sa gobyerno tutal ako ang nagdadala. I’m telling you we are doing everything honestly. Hindi kami humahawak ng pera.”
The President said there are donors approaching him, conveying their intention to contribute. But he advised them to give their money directly to medical facilities battling COVID-19.
The President also asked the people to use the cash aid from the government wisely saying the state can’t support them indefinitely.
The money allocated by the government to subsidize 18 million low-income families would not be enough and the government has to look for sources of funds in case of prolonged quarantine.
“Iyong counting natin na pamilya, in a family, magtanong tayo ilan sila. Kaya ‘yung assistance ibinibigay ng gobyerno eh dapat talaga gamitin ninyo sa wastong paraan,” he said.
President Duterte also wants local officials to investigate the people who reportedly organized cockfighting and drinking spree during the quarantine saying violators should not receive cash assistance from the government.
The President called for discipline noting that if the people continue disobeying quarantine rules, he may opt to deploy the police and the military to force them follow lockdown guidelines.-PND
