• Netizens also slammed government’s response to the crisis.

Singer-actress and known Duterte critic Agot Isidro spoke out about the president’s absence amidst growing concerns on COVID-19.

On March 9, the Presidential Security Group’s (PSG)  issued a No-Touch policy on President Rodrigo Duterte. “Personalities expected to get near the President especially during meetings and events will be thouroughly screened and tested for any illness related to COVID-19,” said PSG Commander Jesus Durante.

In reaction to this, Agot asked in a tweet as to how can people even touch the President if he’s nowhere to be found.

“Paano mahahawakan, eh di nga makita?” she tweeted.

Netizens also shared Agot’s observation about the President not being on top of the situation.

https://twitter.com/chellefuertes/status/1236944737728253955

Duterte missing in action

The President has been out of public view for the past days when the threat of COVID-19 in the country has started to increase.

On Saturday, DOH confirmed the first locally transmitted corona virus case, a 62-year old man from Cainta, Rizal.

Hours after the confirmation of local transmission, DOH reported another four confirmed cases totalling to 10 on Sunday.

By Monday morning, March 9, the total confirmed cases in the country rose to 20 with an additional 10 cases.

Last night, March 9, the President had his first public appearance after several days at a meeting in Malacanang. Right after the cabinet meeting, he had a presscon with Malacanang reporters where he announced additional four new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 24.

While DOH cautioned people to avoid panicking and just follow the basic rule of proper hygiene to prevent the spread of the virus, many netizens are still aghast and disappointed with how the government is responding to the crisis.

Some Senators even scolded DOH for seemingly caught prepared in containing the epidemic.

Senators Nancy Binay and Imee Marcos slammed DOH for the lack of testing kits which they admitted to have contributed to their ‘unintentional’ under-reporting of COVID-19 cases.

Many netizens have also blamed the cuts made on DOH’s budget which led to being ill-prepared for COVID-19 surveillance and containment.

Meanwhile, also at the presscon in Malacanang, the President declared class suspension in all levels in Metro Manila from March 10 to 14. Some lawmakers in Congress even suggested a lockdown of the metro to contain the virus. The President, however, said it’s too early for such a drastic measure.