FACES OF THE NEWS
Harry Roque
Almost two years after an aborted senatorial run, former Kabayan party list Rep. Harry Roque is back as presidential spokesperson, taking over Salvador Panelo’s high-profile job. Roque once again has the unenviable task of explaining President Duterte’s directives and policies amid the state of national emergency brought on by the coronavirus threat. Roque’s initial pronouncements did not exactly endear him to the masses. First, he blamed the Filipinos’ lack of discipline for the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country. Next, he assured us that being considered China’s best friend (despite evidence to the contrary), we’d get first dibs in the COVID-19 vaccine that it has been developing. With mass testing about to start next week despite the controversy about rapid testing kits, Roque’s job can only get more challenging.
Rolando Bautista
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has been front and center in the government’s aid efforts for those most affected by the Luzon-wide lockdown. But its head, Secretary Rolando Bautista, a retired Army general, has been largely absent from the limelight, having been in self-quarantine after attending the same meeting as ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Yap Go, who initially tested positive for COVID-19, until health authorities admitted it erred. When he finally appeared in the government’s “Laging Handa” public briefing, Bautista appealed for “patience” from a restless public that was promised financial aid. To date, the DSWD has transferred P71.78 billion in funds to local governments. However, actual distribution to beneficiaries is much lower, at P1.57 billion as of April 16, according to the department.
Anthony Fauci
Speculation ran high last week that Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was on his way out as adviser to US President Donald Trump. Fauci, the face of the American fight against COVID-19, had publicly contradicted Trump on scientific matters regarding the health crisis, especially on hydroxychloroquine, the antimalaria drug Trump was actively promoting as a cure for COVID-19. While used to treat malaria, arthritis and lupus, it has not been extensively tested for other conditions. Fauci also told CNN that had the United States closed the country down earlier, it would not have so many cases and deaths from the highly infectious disease. Trump supporters immediately demanded Fauci’s head. But despite Trump’s retweet of “time to #Firefauci,” it appears the doctor is staying—for now.
Francisco Duque III
Even before the Senate called for his resignation for his alleged missteps in handling the COVID-19 outbreak, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has been under scrutiny for several controversies since he was reappointed health chief in October 2017. There’s that order suspending the mass immunization program against dengue after the manufacturer of the Dengvaxia vaccine admitted it may cause severe dengue among those not previously exposed to the mosquito-borne disease. The move was seen to have undermined public confidence in vaccines, resulting in an outbreak of measles and the return of polio. Then there’s that family-owned building in Ilocos rented out to Philhealth, as well as several government contracts bagged by his family. If the last two years were any indication, Duque is also bound to weather this latest storm.
Donald Trump
After taking a less combative stance on Thursday with several state governors, US President Donald Trump resumed his attack on four Democratic leaders over their handling of the pandemic. Conceding that the governors had ultimate control over restrictions in their jurisdictions, Trump heeded his advisers and issued a phased-in, science-based strategy in reopening the economy. On Friday, he was back on the offensive, accused the governors of Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia of enforcing drastically stringent stay-at-home orders, and called for the “liberation” of the states. He also renewed criticism of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, tweeting that he had asked too much assistance from the federal government—more than the state really needed. Some of the governors shot back, saying they will reopen their states when it’s safe.