Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA
MANILA, Philippines — Opposition Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan threw his support to human-rights lawyer Chel Diokno and other critics who are dismayed over lack of government assistance to health workers and vulnerable sectors of society.
“We stand behind human rights lawyer Jose @ChelDiokno and his defense of people who have approached him after being summoned for allegedly criticizing the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic,” Pangilinan said in a tweet.
“Like Dean Chel, we also stand behind those who are afraid, frustrated, and dismayed at the lack of government support for our health workers, the loss of income, the absence of food packs and cash assistance for the most vulnerable,” he added.
He also asked government officials to focus on addressing the COVID-19 crisis.
“Ang dapat pinagtutuunan nang buong tapang ng mga opisyal ay: (1) ang pagsugpo sa COVID sa pamamagitan ng pagsuporta sa mga ospital, mga nurse at doktor sa buong bansa,” the senator said.
(The government should focus on addressing the crisis by supporting our frontliners.)
“Ang pagsugpo sa gutom sa pamamagitan ng mabilis na pagbigay ng cash assistance at food packs,” he added.
(To address hunger in the time of COVID-19 through swift cash assistance and food packs.)
On Friday night, President Rodrigo Duterte alleged during his public address that Diokno and other opposition members are using black propaganda in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.