“Their sacrifice has been invaluable.”
There has been no official report about it, but a source told me that many healthcare workers have already died in their efforts to work overtime taking care of COVID-19 cases in government and private hospitals. My source just did not have specific numbers.
Along this line, it would do well for the government, particularly the Department of Health and President Duterte, to grant the fatalities some kind of memorial for Filipinos to them. They sacrifice themselves so the others may live in the wake of surging cases of COVID.
These are the unsung heroes whose sacrifice can never be forgotten.
As the year 2021 is about to close, this column still considers them “The Heroes of the Year.” History will always remember them.
**
I would also like to take this opportunity to commend members of the Duterte cabinet who did good during the times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This, despite the fact that the pandemic caused loss of jobs and livelihoods that led to a rise in poverty and hunger.
I would like to commend Health Secretary Francisco Duque, who bore the brunt of criticisms of the Senate and other sectors in the handling of the pandemic. I believe Duque could not do otherwise because the heath crisis is something the country never went through before. Despite what some people think of Duque, I still believe that he tried his best. As for his integrity and honesty, I still can’t accept what some sectors think of him as a corrupt member of the cabinet.
There are also Finance Secretary and his team of economic managers, who together with Karl Chua as National Economic and Development Authority Director General, Undersecretary Tony Lambino, Bangko Sentral Governor Benjamin Diokno who managed the economy very well despite the impact of the pandemic.
Then, there are Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano, whose efforts are also commendable.
I also commend Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu for his performance in protecting the environment despite disasters and calamities which this country is prone to.
I also would like to commend Justice Secretary Menandro Guevarra for giving justice and assurance to people who need them.
I would like to congratulate Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, his excellent handling of the “Build, Build, Build” program of the Duterte administration.
I also commend Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat despite the fact that the tourism industry bore the brunt of the pandemic to continue hoping that the tourism industry will recover soon enough.
Lastly, I commend Mark Villar, DPWH Secretary, for making “Build, Build, Build” a reality.
**
President Duterte and the government itself should warn Filipinos against easing of health protocols in the wake of declining number of COVID-19 cases. We should not be complacent.
Note that there’s still the Omicron variant to contend with. The first cases have already been detected here.
In fact, some health experts are predicting that soon after the holidays, COVID-19 cases may surge, the way people are celebrating. Let’s pray this doesn’t happen.
**
President Duterte’s withdrawal from his senatorial bid was not a surprise. Recall that Duterte had already said that he was through with politics. His bid for the Senate was just what they call “political posturing” when Senator Bong Go also made his bid for presidency.
Consider the fact, why would a President make a bid for the Senate and compete with others? That would be silly. Besides, if Duterte would like to continue his war on illegal drugs and war against government corruption, there are already many presidential and Senate aspirants who are on it.
**
The Comelec should look at what Senator Manny Pacquiao is doing to have more supporters. Pacquiao has been known to be distributing cash to people he claims are in need. Isn’t this vote buying?
**
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso says if elected President he’ll renew the Philippine claim to Sabah, perhaps to court the support of Muslims, and in particular, the Sultanate of Sulu, which years ago, said that it owns Sabah.
Obviously, Isko is not aware that the Philippine claim to Sabah is a dead issue. If elected President, it would in effect be declaring war against Malaysia. May I warn Isko to realize the implications of what he is saying.