Senator Risa Hontiveros (Senate of the Philippines)
What the country needs is accountability from government officials, and not Duque’s recognition, Hontiveros stressed.
“Tama na itong linggo-linggong pa-awarding ceremony ng administrasyon (Enough of this weekly awarding ceremony by the administration),” the opposition senator said in a statement.
“Walang pinupuntahan ang pagtatakipan nila live on national television habang nadadagdagan ang mga nagugutom, nagkakasakit at namamatay dahil sa palpak nilang pagtugon sa COVID-19 (There is no sense with our officials covering up for each other on national television while those who go hungry, get sick, and die increase by the day because of their failed COVID-19 response),” she added.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros
(Senate of the Philippines / FILE PHOTO)
Hontiveros said state agents’ “heavy-handed” tactics against community pantries are not just undemocratic but “they also punish Filipinos who are already suffering because of the pandemic and who desperately need the lifeline extended by these community pantries.”
“Bakit isusuplong ang tumutulong? Huwag naman nating patayin ang natitirang pag-asa ng ating mga kababayan. Pagtutulungan at pagdadamayan ang kailangan hindi karahasan o pananakot (Why report on those who are helping out? Let’s not kill whatever hope is left of our fellowmen. Teamwork and reciprocity is what we need not violence or intimidation),” Hontiveros said.
While she welcomed President Duterte's reported appeal to lawmakers to give the reduced tariffs a chance, Senator Risa Hontiveros maintained that a "better" move will be to recall his order to prevent its impacts to the local hog industry.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros
(Senate of the Philippines / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The opposition senator said the President’s remarks on the West Philippine Sea issue during his speech Monday night reveals he has no plans for his government to fight back against China’s incursions in the country’s own maritime territory.
“Sinusuko na ng Presidente ang soberanya ng Pilipinas. Nakakahiyang marinig na mismong ang Commander-in-Chief ng Pilipinas ang pasimuno ng mistulang pagbigay ng ating teritoryo sa China (The President has given up the Philippines’ sovereignty. It’s disheartening to hear from the Commander-in-chief himself that he is giving up our territory for China),” Hontiveros said in a statement.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros(Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN)
“Our hospitals need the Health Department’s support, not threats. They have time and time again expressed exactly what they need, but have been ignored,” Hontiveros said in a statement on Tuesday, April 20.
“Ano ba ang problema, at kailan aaminin ng DOH na meron (pangangailangan) (What’s DOH problem, and when are they going to recognize their needs)?” she asked.
Hontiveros is among the senators who supported the calls of hospital associations for the DOH to begin augmenting the healthcare workforce through emergency mass hiring of nurses as hospitals remain full due to the spike in COVID-19 cases.