When President Rodrigo Duterte gave his first address to the nation after being given special powers and an additional budget of P275 billion to deal with the COVID-19 crisis, many were disappointed.
Spokesperson Salvador Panelo had announced that it was “tentatively” scheduled for 4 pm but much to everyone’s dismay, the speech was aired at around 11 pm.
Alessandra De Rossi asked on her Twitter account, “#TanongNgTaongBayan within this lifetime po?” while waiting. She tweeted again, “Guys, on the way na po! Edsa na po!”
#TanongNgTaongBayan within this lifetime po? 😂😂
— alessandra de rossi (@msderossi) March 30, 2020
Guys, on the way na po! Edsa na po!
— alessandra de rossi (@msderossi) March 30, 2020
Kip Oebanda said people are used to the government being late, whether it comes to televised speeches or imposing a much-needed travel ban.
https://twitter.com/kipoebanda/status/1244571689880412160
ABS-CBN journalist Ces Drillon called out the president, saying the delay was just making everyone anxious.
You said 4 PM. But it’s almost 8 PM. The whole country is on edge Mr. President.
— Ces Oreña-Drilon (@cesdrilon) March 30, 2020
Janine Guiterrez’s horoscope seemed to be on the mark as it said she was waiting for someone, which turned out to be the president and his much delayed speech.
Waiting for the President https://t.co/uRWDxoHpin
— JANINE (@janinegutierrez) March 30, 2020
Gang Capati waited for the president because she needed to focus on helping out smaller hospitals should the president say in his speech that the had the major hospitals covered.
There's a reason why I'm WAITING FOR THIS #COVIDRESPONSE PALACE DAPAT 4PM PRESSCON:
I WANT HIM TO SAY THEY WILL COVER THE GOVT HOSPITALS SO @TOWNSfoundation CAN FOCUS ON SMALLER HOSPITALS THAT FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS BUT SERVE THE FURTHER FLUNG AREAS. <end>
833pm MON 30Mar2020
— Gang Capati 🇵🇭 (@gangbadoy) March 30, 2020
PinoyAkoBlog felt pity for the journalists who had to wait for the president.
Kawawa talaga mga journalist sa panahon Ni "The Late President Digong"
— Jover Laurio (@PinoyAkoBlog) March 30, 2020
Juan Miguel Severo joked that some people get fired for being tardy.
https://twitter.com/TheRainBro/status/1244608397791465472?fbclid=IwAR0XKukqg2014M3nT329seNOg1MiDet32vcWqjHjJnQk0mSlzWJ4TdGMv-I
https://twitter.com/TheRainBro/status/1244609117596962822?fbclid=IwAR1bB7RipYjSpVzztHbDULDuvAZ_gbtjluiLdQqBX9g3V_I4iOfN-Rj9Qwc
https://twitter.com/TheRainBro/status/1244610468880113665?fbclid=IwAR2WvNfXK0ne-7muaPgn7fhQOIgPK0khNq1d0e84Z8Fn7vJ4Y-f2gZkwlqY
https://twitter.com/TheRainBro/status/1244624355939631105?fbclid=IwAR04koqVWsrYY-QTDDEGo5yBHzla5Jzjk4U8eIsBBslk5UCK-BMnX8khLq4
Bullet Dumas said, “On the way ” which is what people running late usually say.
On the way..
— Bullet Dumas (@bulletdumas) March 30, 2020
K Brosas seemed to have lost her patience waiting.
Naka 3 episodes nako NG itaewon class.. malapit ko NG pag pantasyahan si saeroyi at sana May patience tayong lahat tulad nya syet kaya waiting pa din akey.. 😅✌🏼
— carmela brosas (@kbrosas) March 30, 2020
Zsa Zsa Padilla prayed the rosary, thinking she would be back in time to hear the speech given how late the speech was. She even apparently watched the iWant show Uncoupling while waiting.
Nauubos na oras ko. Char. Mag rosary na muna kami. Feeling ko abot pa.
— zsa zsa padilla (@zsazsapadilla) March 30, 2020
Pag natapos itong pelikula ni Yam at Joseph, deadma na siguro. Ipagpapabukas na lang. #IHaveALotOfTime #ButWhyWasteiT
— zsa zsa padilla (@zsazsapadilla) March 30, 2020
Netizens also joined the waiting game.
https://twitter.com/juvin_durante/status/1244649353261617154
https://twitter.com/keithpaolo_/status/1244652074173784064
Around 11 in the evening, the President finally had his first weekly address on the COVID-19 crisis. He thanked all the frontliners who keep battling the COVID-19 outbreak in the country (he had neglected to thank frontliners in his earlier speeches). He also announced that he had allotted 200 billion for low-income households who are badly affected by the crisis, But despite the hefty emergency fund, he still appealed to people to donate.
“To those who have more in life, I implore you to share in the cause of taking care of the less fortunate and keeping our society intact,” he said
The President also appealed to the private sector to contribute to this national emergency crisis. He also thanked those who are silently helping behind the cameras.
“To our farmers and fisherfolk, we have not forgotten you and the government is having quick response measures. Andito ang gobyerno para sa inyo.”
He said that he would have regular communications to keep people informed. He also asked people to trust him to get the country through the crisis.
“Salamat po at ako ay regularly makipagusap sa inyo until this crisis is over. Huwag kayong matakot dahil may pera ako. Ayusin namin ‘yan.”
Duterte: Salamat po at ako ay regularly makipagusap sa inyo until this crisis is over. Huwag kayong matakot dahil may pera ako. Ayusin namin 'yan.
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) March 30, 2020
