Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez. SCREENGRAB FROM FACEBOOK
MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker is proposing to put to shame those who discriminate coronavirus disease 2019 patients while praising those who voluntarily admit they are afflicted with the respiratory illness.
Deputy Speaker Dan Fernandez on Tuesday said the public should call those who discriminate COVID-19 patients as “maytamayan” while COVID-19 patients should be called “bayaniyan.”
“It’s high time we start a ‘shame and fame campaign’ as a weapon in this difficult fight against COViD-19. I appeal to the government and the public to join hands in pursuing this drive,” he said in a statement.
He also urged COVID-19 patients to allow the publication of their names so that contact tracing will be easier.
“Higit na madali ang contact tracing kung makikilala sila ng publiko,” Fernandez said.
He also called on the House leadership and other lawmakers to promote the “shame and fame” campaign in local government units of their congressional districts.
The Laguna lawmaker claimed that dozens of public officials and celebrities are deserving to be called “bayaniyan” for letting the public know they have contracted COVID-19.
Among them are Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Juan Edgardo Angara; Cabinet Secretaries Eduardo Ano, Mark Villar and Leonor Briones; TV personalities Howie Severino and Michael V.
Fernandez stated that the House of Representatives also has its share of “bayaniyan.” They are Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel; Reps. Henry Villarica; Samier Tan and Eric Go-Yap.