Robredo hits ‘fake news’ vs Bayanihan E-Konsulta program

Vice President Leni Robredo. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday assailed false claims against her office’s Bayanihan E-Konsulta program that it is asking for personal data from callers, including their precinct numbers.

In a Facebook post, Robredo told “fake news purveyors” to help in the country’s COVID-19 response instead of disseminating false information.

“Fake News at the height of the worst surge is unforgivable. We do not ask for precinct numbers. Anyone can try our Bayanihan e-Konsulta page,” she said.

https://www.facebook.com/1003057789/posts/10223505840926494/?d=n

Bayanihan E-Konsulta is a teleconsultation program launched by the Office of the Vice President in April last year to help address the surge in COVID-19 cases.

She accompanied her post with several screenshots showing Facebook accounts claiming that the program “is just gathering personal information [of] voters.”

“We cater to everyone. Walang pinipili. Hindi pa eleksiyon, ginagawa na namin ito. Hindi sa pagbubuhat ng bangko pero yung consistency sa serbisyo, may eleksiyon o wala, hindi naman matatawaran,” Robredo went on.

(We cater to everyone. We don’t choose who we serve. We launched this program way before the election season. Not to toot my own horn but the consistency in our service, whether or not there is an election, is unquestionable.)

“Yung makakapagbigay ng resibo, yung thousands of patients na natulungan na, yung more than 1,000 volunteer doctors, and more than 3,000 non medical volunteers,” she added.

(Those who can attest to this are the thousands of patients that we helped, the more than 1,000 volunteer doctors, and more than 3,000 non medical volunteers.)

The vice president urged those spreading “fake news” online to instead do their part in the country’s response to the pandemic.

“Advise lang sa naninira, baka gusto niyo nang tumulong. Grabe pangangailangan ng mga kababayan natin ngayon. Please help us report these fake news purveyors,” Robredo said.

(My advice to those who are spreading claims against the program, maybe you want to help. Our fellow Filipinos really need help now. Please help us report these fake news purveyors.)