'Adopt 'Pro-Filipino' stance in fighting COVID-19' --- De Lima
Published Apr 15, 2020 12:00 am
By Hannah L. Torregoza
Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Wednesday criticized President Duterte anew for “indecisiveness” in the management of the national health emergency, along with his alleged “subservience” to China that has been accused by other nations of withholding vital information that led to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.
Senator Leila de Lima (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“Recent history is clear on his (President Duterte’s) failure to act sensibly, quickly and decisively on the COVID-19 pandemic. He tried to downplay the contagion and failed to initiate any semblance of preparation early on,” De Lima said in her latest handwritten statement.
De Lima said the Chief Executive’s close links to President Xi Jinping should have enabled the Philippines to become better informed and prepared to deal with the COVID-19 crisis, but instead “the opposite happened.”
“He bought into the China propaganda—hook, line, and sinker. By the time he appeared to be moving finally, we were already playing catch up. No amount of propaganda will change that,” she pointed out.
“We need to focus on our own efforts, and prioritize our own people and our own country. Tama na po ang pagiging pro-China. Maging pro-Filipino na tayong lahat, (Let’s stop being pro-China. All of us should be pro-Filipino instead),” she reiterated.
De Lima observed that Duterte lauded Xi for his “decisiveness” as shown by what he claims to have been a successful strict lockdown of the Hubei province for almost three months.
De Lima said such claims were based solely on reports from China’s Communist Party.
The President also expressed his gratitude to China for its commitment to support his administration in its fight against COVID-19.
“We were already making great strides towards extending help to our countrymen and preventing the spread of COVID-19,” de Lima noted.
“But instead of taking control of these efforts and focusing on ensuring that everything is being implemented properly, Mr. Duterte is still finding time for Chinese propaganda. The Chinese government placed us in this situation,” De Lima lamented.
Senator Leila de Lima (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“Recent history is clear on his (President Duterte’s) failure to act sensibly, quickly and decisively on the COVID-19 pandemic. He tried to downplay the contagion and failed to initiate any semblance of preparation early on,” De Lima said in her latest handwritten statement.
De Lima said the Chief Executive’s close links to President Xi Jinping should have enabled the Philippines to become better informed and prepared to deal with the COVID-19 crisis, but instead “the opposite happened.”
“He bought into the China propaganda—hook, line, and sinker. By the time he appeared to be moving finally, we were already playing catch up. No amount of propaganda will change that,” she pointed out.
“We need to focus on our own efforts, and prioritize our own people and our own country. Tama na po ang pagiging pro-China. Maging pro-Filipino na tayong lahat, (Let’s stop being pro-China. All of us should be pro-Filipino instead),” she reiterated.
De Lima observed that Duterte lauded Xi for his “decisiveness” as shown by what he claims to have been a successful strict lockdown of the Hubei province for almost three months.
De Lima said such claims were based solely on reports from China’s Communist Party.
The President also expressed his gratitude to China for its commitment to support his administration in its fight against COVID-19.
“We were already making great strides towards extending help to our countrymen and preventing the spread of COVID-19,” de Lima noted.
“But instead of taking control of these efforts and focusing on ensuring that everything is being implemented properly, Mr. Duterte is still finding time for Chinese propaganda. The Chinese government placed us in this situation,” De Lima lamented.