Give Duterte credit for Covid response – Isko

MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said President Rodrigo Duterte should be given credit for the successes of the country’s Covid-19 response.

In an interview during his listening tour in public and private markets of Bulacan on Friday, Domagoso said the national government’s recent vaccination drive is worth commending, despite the widespread confusion that marred the government’s initial pandemic response.

“Pangamba at takot sa impeksyon, pangamba at takot sa hanapbuhay, dahil dito, nagdulot ito ng konting pagkakalito. But life must go on. We give credit where credit is due,” he said.

“Totoo naman kapuri-puri ‘yung ginawa ni Pangulong Duterte at ng

kung saan ‘yung mga lokal na pamahalaan na nabakunahan na namin. Lahat tumulong naman sa probinsya, which ginawa namin.”

The massive vaccination drive from November 29 to December 1 was launched amidst the emergence of the new Omicron variant. More than five million individuals received Covid-19 jabs during the said vaccination drive, according to the Department of Health.

While the current administration may not have been perfect, Domagoso said Duterte listens to the public and corrects the mistakes of the people working under him.

“May mga bagay na ‘di perpekto. Pero as long as nakikinig ‘yung leader doon sa talbog o pagkakadapa ng kanyang mga tao at ikinocorrect naman niya, that’s what you call learning the lesson and moving forward,” the Aksyon Demokratiko presidential bet said. “Tulad halimbawa, ‘yung sa

face shield, in-argue ko ‘yung isang ahensya ng gobyerno pero nakita mo naman dininig ni President Duterte ‘yung request ng taumbayan. Ako, in-echo ko lang naman.”

The 47-year-old presidential aspirant said criticisms are necessary when it comes to public service, but these have to be based on the public interest, not on political colors.

“So, you argue on the basis of ‘pag alam mong makakasama sa tao. You have moral obligation to say it. Hindi ‘yung makakontra lang dahil ‘di mo kapartido,” he said.

Domagoso said history will judge Duterte and how he fulfilled his promises to the public.

“He’s right. Nagawa niya ‘yung dapat niya magawa kung ano man ‘yung pinangako niya. ‘Yung history will judge him, not me. History will also judge me as mayor of the City of Manila later on. For now, as far as we’re concerned, he’s still the President. He will do his part. As for me, as mayor, I’ll do my part as mayor,” he said.

During his visit in public and private markets, as well as to the jewelry and tannery industries in the province of Bulacan, he said that if he is lucky enough to become president, in return, he will implement a “fine, prudent and efficient” government.

Domagoso, with his running mate, Dr. Willie Ong, also paid a courtesy visit to Gov. Daniel Fernando, Board Member Alex Castro, and other provincial and local officials before he met with the homeowners association at the Provincial Capitol gymnasium in Malolos City.