MANILA, Philippines — The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is the enemy, not the government, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said on Monday as he urged the public to work together with the government to overcome the health crisis.
“The leadership and members of the House of the People agree with the President that COVID-19 is the enemy, not the Government,” Cayetano said in a Facebook post.
“While there are still many more that can and should be done to help the country get through this most difficult period – those fomenting disunity at this time are doing the nation a great disservice by distracting us from the real battle,” the Speaker added.
Cayetano renewed Congress’ commitment to pass the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act which remains pending in the House of Representatives, adding that the lower chamber is also working with members of the medical field and frontliners in crafting the said measure.
“No one has a monopoly of good ideas and solutions, and anyone who pretends otherwise is either a liar or a fool. If we want to beat the virus, it is incumbent upon all of us to keep an open mind and not let partisan politics get in the way of doing the right thing,” Cayetano said.
“I urge everyone, please let us work together – Filipinos of all faiths, ideologies, and persuasions – one body, united in defeating COVID-19,” he added.
As of August 2, there are 103,185 COVID-19 cases in the country, with recoveries at 65,557 and death toll at 2,059.