The global pandemic COVID-19 has infected 501 patients in the Philippines as of March 24, 2020. Alan Peter Cayetano spearheaded a special session in the House of Representatives to address the growing problem.
The special session aimed to authorize the President to exercise powers necessary for the current national dilemma brought by the COVID-19.
As per Cayetano, the draft detailed the last resort option for Duterte, which included the following:
- Procure goods, medical equipment, and supplies
- Cancel programs and reallocate funds from 2019 and 2020 budget bills to generate savings
- Lease property to serve as quarantine centers for the health workers
- Adopt measures against hoarding and profiteering
- Power to ensure that all LGU units are acting in accordance with the rules and regulations issued by the National Government
Right before the special session, Cayetano was holding a piece of manila paper stating this exact line: “Together with doctors and frontliners, we went to work for you, so please stay home for us.”
When in reality, Cayetano along with senators like Tito Sotto, Ping Lacson, Imee Marcos, Grace Poe, Francis Tolentino, Bong Revilla, and Pia Cayetano got tested immediately.
Due to Cayetano’s claim that politicians are with frontliners, netizens and even celebrities had to express their anger.
Kayo ang mga ipapakain ko sa veerus. pic.twitter.com/RwBPyKtDb3
— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) March 23, 2020
— jake ejercito (@unoemilio) March 23, 2020
https://twitter.com/TheRainBro/status/1241936922961776640?fbclid=IwAR09_OtLx_eagAv25eXDjsOEJCgIvtaunBagkD-PMDMoKyUetThCixARRPQ
A netizen with the username of philbertdy managed to edit the statement on Cayetano’s manila paper with sarcasm:
— Phil Dy (@philbertdy) March 23, 2020
Elementary ka kaldero? At may visual aids ka pa? 🙄🙄🙄 pic.twitter.com/VMoSsqQe5N
— Jover Laurio (@PinoyAkoBlog) March 23, 2020
Nakita n'yo ba 'yung picture nila Alan Cayetano etal na may hawak na manila paper saying, "Together with doctors and frontliners we went to work for you, so please stay at home for us"?
Kung hindi n'yo pa nakita, huwag n'yo nang hanapin. NAKAKASUKA!
— Ogie Rosa (@ogie_rosa) March 23, 2020
Some netizens reiterated that doctors and other frontliners are putting their lives on the line and it’s absolutely ridiculous for Cayetano to see himself on the same level of sacrifice and dedication.
HOW DARE YOU EQUATE YOUR PRIVILEGE JOBS TO THE DOCTORS, NURSES, HEALTH WORKERS, ALL FRONTLINERS! THEY'VE BEEN THERE SINCE DAY 1. THEY'VE SUFFERED W/ THE PATIENTS WHILE YOU HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT TO SIT ON YOUR MILLIONS. YOU CAN'T SIT W/ THEM!
ANG KAKAPAL NYO LALO KA NA CAYETANO! pic.twitter.com/CCePRu8Tyb— Javi | Happy Minghao Day! 🐸 🇫🇷🇺🇸🇯🇵🇰🇷 (@jamesvitaliano) March 23, 2020
Mas nakaka proud pa ang mga janitors na nasa hospital kesa sa inyo!! Itong Cayetano na to gusto lang mag pa pogi!!!
— CrizTian (@HeyDude1202) March 23, 2020
Imbis na naggaganyan kayo get your 50M kaldero and cook for our healthworkers and front liners ng me gamit naman yung ginastos mo. Kapal ng mga mukha! 🤬🤬🤬
— JoseMari 🇵🇭 (@iliethegreat) March 23, 2020
— The Professional Heckler™️ (@hecklerforever8) March 23, 2020
🤯 Parang nakakahiya naman na makihilera kayo sa mga frontliners … https://t.co/qLnO2Ol8em
— Iris Thiele Isip Tan MD, MSc (@endocrine_witch) March 23, 2020
