President Rodrigo Duterte was dismayed over the demands of health workers and the fact he was “the last one to know” about their grievances on the rising cases of COVID-19.
Duterte accused medical frontliners of threatening a “revolution” against the government, puzzling healthcare workers who only requested for a “time out” amid soaring COVID-19 cases.
“You really don’t know me. You want to revolution? Then say it. Go ahead, try it. We’ll ruin everything. We’ll kill all those who are infected with COVID,” Duterte said.
“Is that what you want? We can always end our existence in this manner,” the President dared.
“Next time, you can ask for an audience. Pero ‘wag ho kayong magsigaw-sigaw, rebolusyon, rebolusyon,” Duterte told healthcare workers after approving their plea for a stricter quarantine.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque then explained Duterte’s revolution remark by citing the Pinoy version of the famous Les Miserables piece entitled “Di Niyo Ba Naririnig?”
The song, one of the most recognizable from the musical, along with criticisms made by Vice President Leni Robredo, Senate Minority leader Franklin Drilon, and netizens, prompted the President’s remarks, Roque said.
“Ang konteksto po na lumabas ito ay sunod-sunod po kasi iyong pagtawag po ni Sen. Drilon na failure ang IATF (inter-agency task force), sinusugan po iyan ni VP Leni Robredo kasabay po iyang kumakalat na revolution song,” Roque explained.
“So, ang Presidente po, sabi niya, kung talaga iyong mga nanggugulo, iyong mga nais magsamantala sa pandemic na gusto siyang palitan through a revolution, sige na po, gawin na natin ngayon,” he added.
Roque also said that those who want to stage a revolution against the government don’t need to use the pandemic as an excuse.
“Wala na pong drama iyan, huwag na tayong sumakay dito sa pandemya na wala namang gustong mangyari, mag-rebolusyon na kung gusto po nila. Inuulit ko lang naman po ang sinabi ni Presidente,” said Roque.
The song in question did not feature health workers, but celebs and singers.
An all-star cast led by actress Angel Locsin gave a rendition in performing “Di Nyo Ba Naririnig,” the Filipino version of the memorable “Les Miserables” piece “Do You Hear the People Sing” during the #SONAgKAISA virtual protest.
“#SONAgKAISA,” the “alternative” State of the Nation Address (SONA) streamed live at the same time as that of President Rodrigo Duterte’s SONA, the video was part of the online concert that addressed current local issues such as ABS-CBN shutdown, the anti-terror law, and the government’s response to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Among the stars and personalities who joined in the anthem were Iza Calzado, Enchong Dee, Jodi Sta. Maria, Mylene Dizon, Ria Atayde, Vivoree Esclito, Agot Isidro, Jake Cuenca and Juana Change.
Completing the cast were musicians Noel Cabangon, Buboy Garavillo, Jim Paredes, Monique Wilson, Ebe Dancel, Bullet Dumas, Johnoy Danao, Kean Cipriano, and Bituin Escalante, among others.
The song was first translated by composer Vincent de Jesus in 2017 in the middle of the protest against human rights abuses under Duterte’s war on drugs.
The government faced problems when they imposed the initial community quarantine, which was elevated into enhanced community quarantine. It also suspended transportation causing massive problems with commuters.
Frontliners expressed their fears and the difficulties that they go through at the hospital especially with the ongoing crisis.
Roque said that the letter of the medical groups reached the President hours after the representatives of healthcare workers held an online press conference to air their plea.
“While the President has already agreed to their demands, the President seemed pissed by the late information from the frontliners’ demand. He was the last know the demand,” Roque said.
While Roque already denied that the president is sensitive to criticism, other netizens said otherwise.
https://twitter.com/kuyaaisko/status/1290144191771586567
https://twitter.com/PlNKROLEX/status/1289961789933760512
motherfucker they explicitly said that they weren't even trying to pick a fight, they sent you a message because people are dying and public health is on the brink of collapse. and now you're whining about revolution holy shit someone PLEASE cough in duterte's mouth https://t.co/dQEtQyg0AH
— Emil (@quezoncitrus) August 2, 2020
why does duterte focus more on the npa than the actual threat posed by this pandemic? simple, because the former threatens the interest of the ruling class which he is subservient to, and the conditions for revolution are ripe. he’s afraid, and he should be! let him tremble!
— sean (@rebolusean) August 3, 2020
https://twitter.com/zandresc/status/1289962241094070273
https://twitter.com/prinsisaaaax/status/1290050001951797249
duterte got too scared of the mass' anger in his lack of proactiveness in response to covid that the first thing he thinks about is doing 'counter-revolution' measure (anti terror bill law) instead of actually funding our hospitals and putting all his power to covid response
— nina (@ninaxrina) August 2, 2020
Is this what #Duterte was angry about? That they raised their fists and so he presumed this was a revolution? Shall we all now fearlessly raise our fists with our frontliners? #DefendFrontliners #TimeOutNow #Defiance pic.twitter.com/7MDSRJk0HC
— katrinastuartsantiago (@radikalchick) August 2, 2020
triggered ampota whatta fuckin loser of a president weakshit ka pala duterte eh https://t.co/QtcFADSXSo
— don ramon (@BigDaddyRamone) August 4, 2020
My country's president was recently triggered by the opposition leader's speech with a plan, a group of doctors' desperate call for more action, and… a Filipino version of 'Do You Hear the People Sing' https://t.co/VjeJhJdhe3
— Denise Fontanilla (@denisemf_) August 3, 2020
triggered si duterte sa rebolusyon https://t.co/StrUqFPTWb
— abby (@abby85222883) August 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/BelloCiao_/status/1290836636289265664
SINCE Rodrigo Duterte has dared doctors to stage a "revolution" so he could stage his "counterrevolution," allow me to post my blog on that issue. Please read ..
Pilosopong Tasyo speaks …: COUNTERREVOLUTION AND TERRORISM IN THE PHILIPPINES https://t.co/ggfPnyXn9t
— Philip Lustre Jr. (@IpeLustre) August 3, 2020
Final part of #Duterte live address tonight, and his real thoughts about the frontliners call for a #TimeOut, and the August 1 press con is finally revealed. He questions why they did it publicly, and "raised their hands" and called for a "revolution." #DefendFrontliners pic.twitter.com/vK4SiZZ2Ml
— katrinastuartsantiago (@radikalchick) August 2, 2020
They only exposed Duterte and his regime's incompetence. That's why he called it a revolution. https://t.co/DdfQZM2kfo
— Katar Lhal (@KatarHol5) August 2, 2020
Revolution? Demean? Take over? Kill?
I heard none of that in the health care workers’ appeal.https://t.co/DxUgOlHP0f
— Chiara Zambrano (@chiarazambrano) August 3, 2020
