MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday challenged Vice President Leni Robredo to come up with her own solution to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that is not dependent on a vaccine, saying that the opposition leader might even end up as President if her plan succeeds.
“Hinahamon ko po si VP Leni, kung meron siyang solusyon na walang vaccine at wala pa rin gamot, sabihin niya po dahil sigurado po baka ngayon din maging presidente siya kung makahanap siya ng solusyon habang walang bakuna at walang gamot,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace press briefing.
Roque said this after Robredo clapped back at President Rodrigo Duterte’s taunting over her criticisms of the government’s handling of the health crisis.
Duterte insisted Monday night that the only thing people could do now is to wear face masks while waiting for a coronavirus vaccine to become available.
But Robredo said there is more to fighting COVID-19 than just wearing face masks and waiting for a vaccine. She also listed what she called the “main challenges” that should be addressed by the government during the crisis.
However, Roque said the Vice President’s insights are not new anymore as the government is already doing them.
The Palace official then urged Robredo and her colleagues in the opposition to open their eyes and ears on the government’s COVID-19 initiatives.
“Wala pong bago, pinapatupad na ‘yan ng gobyerno. Again, buksan po ang mata, buksan po ang pandinig nang hindi inuulit ang mga pinatutupad na ng gobyerno,” Roque said.