Palace takes “seriously” WHO chief’s remarks that worst on COVID-19 yet to come

April 23, 2020

Malacanang said on Wednesday it is taking "seriously" the remarks of World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that the "worst of the coronavirus 2019 is yet to come."

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Palace also agrees with the WHO chief's assertion that COVID-19 is a virus that many people still did not understand.

"It is for this reason that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has been in consultation with different experts across different sectors on how to best address the COVID-19 situation in the country," he said.

Roque said Duterte "even set aside politics" and also met with the Health Secretaries of the previous administrations to weigh the different options for the people.

"The decision will be carefully studied as lives of the people and the nation are at stake," he said.

According to Duterte's ally and Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, the President is set to come up with his decision on Thursday on the actions to be taken after April 30, the expiration of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, including Metro Manila. Celerina Monte/DMS