Palace defends Duterte for initially downplaying COVID-19

April 8, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte did not downplay the impact of the coronavirus disease in the beginning of the health crisis, Malacanang said on Wednesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the statement after criticisms against Duterte, who claimed during his latest televised public message that he warned early on that COVID-19 would be devastating.

But this was contrary to his previous statements belittling the possible effect of the virus.

"He (Duterte) did not downplay (COVID-19)," Panelo said, noting that last February it was the World Health Organization that made the advisory there was nothing to be worried about the virus because the situation was not a pandemic.

He also cited that the WHO even made advisories that the safe distancing was one meter and there was no need to wear face masks if the person has no symptoms of COVID-19.

"That was their advisory and that's what we did," Panelo said.

But now, he said social distancing is about two meters and the wearing of face masks is mandatory.

He also noted that during that time in February, only two COVID-19 deaths were recorded.

"That's why (the President) did not want to create anxiety or fear among our people, thus, he said that. However, immediately after that, when he saw the impact of coronavirus, he already took all the necessary measures," Panelo said as he cited the Luzon-wide lockdown that Duterte ordered as well as banning of foreign arrivals in Luzon.

Instead of criticizing the government, he said it would be better to propose other measures that the government could do to alleviate the problem.

Panelo, also the chief presidential legal counsel, said Duterte has decided to stay in Manila during the Lenten break to monitor the situation instead of going to his hometown of Davao City.

"The President has decided to cancel his trip to Davao yesterday. He was supposed to go there so that he could be with his family, Apart from that, it's Kitty's birthday," he said, referring to Veronica, Duterte's daughter with long-time partner Cielito "Honeylet" Avancena.

He said Duterte would stay at Bahay Pangarap, his official residence in Malacanang.

"That's why this Holy Week, unless there are changes, he will remain in Manila," the official said.

He also assured that the 75-year -old Duterte is "fit and healthy, although, like what he said, he could not properly sleep because he was thinking of the country's problem." Celerina Monte/DMS