Several celebrities and Netizens blasted Health Secretary Francisco Duque III over his surprised reaction to the surge in COVID-19 cases.
On Saturday, March 20, the Philippines has registered 7,999 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily tally since the pandemic started. The previous highest was a day before (March 19, 2021) at 7,103.
Asked for his comment, Duque said he was surprised and admitted that he did not expect that the country’s COVID cases will increase that high.
“Hindi naman natin alam na papalo ng ganito kataas. So we have to make the adjustments,” Duque said.
“Mas maraming nagkakahawaan. Ngayon na tumaas. O, para muna tayo. Ganu’n talaga, e. We have to bounce. Parang cha-cha-cha ka e. ‘Di ba, ‘di ba? One step back, two steps forward.”
His statement then caught the ire of furious Netizens.
Kapamilya star Nikki Valdez in her tweet slammed Duque for feeling surprised saying he might be the only one who did not expect the worst.
“Ha??? Baka ikaw lang!” Nikki tweeted.
Ha??? Baka ikaw lang!
— NVG 🌸💚 (@nikkivaldez_) March 20, 2021
@jclem3, meanwhile chided on Duque for appearing to be the only one who didn’t see it coming. The Netizen also added that Duque’s reaction showed how ill-suited he is for the job of Health Secretary.
“Doc, baka ikaw lang ang hindi nag-expect. Most of us saw it coming when government started to loosen restrictions without the vaccines. Your admission perfectly illustrates how ill-suited you are for your job. It’s time for you to consider stepping down before more harm is done.”
Doc, baka ikaw lang ang hindi nag-expect. Most of us saw it coming when government started to loosen restrictions without the vaccines. Your admission perfectly illustrates how ill-suited you are for your job. It’s time for you to consider stepping down before more harm is done.
— Jojo Clemente (@jclem3) March 20, 2021
@rryyyaaaaannnn on the other hand, said instead of changing quarantine status from ECQ, MECQ, GCQ, or MGQC, what the country really needs is for incompetent government officials like Duque to resign.
We don’t need ECQ, MECQ, GCQ, MGCQ.
What we need is for Duterte, Duque and IATF to resign.
Enough of incompetence, corruption, misplaced priorities and all these clownery!#DutertePalpak
— Ryan (@rryyyaaaannnn) March 21, 2021
@victorvongerden shared the same sentiment saying the surge in the COVID-19 cases occurred because of the government’s incompetence in addressing the pandemic from the very start.
“They were caught unprepared because they didn’t prepare. Most probably, they went about with a carefree attitude and never planned for such a contingency. This was the same scenario during the start of the pandemic where this regime’s incompetence first went on full display.”
They were caught unprepared because they didn't prepare. Most probably, they went about with a carefree attitude and never planned for such a contingency.
This was the same scenario during the start of the pandemic where this regime's incompetence first went on full display.
— Viktor vonGerdenheim (@ViktorvonGerden) March 20, 2021
@theekislist meanwhile blasted Duque and the IATF for feeling superior and not listening to suggestions from other stakeholders and health experts.
“Didn’t expect? When several groups keep on telling about their predictions because of your incompetencies….You even failed to listen to the real experts because you Duque, IATF, and your leader believed that you know better and that you are the best.”
Didn't expect? When several groups keeps on telling about their predictions because of your incompetencies….
You even failed to listen to the real experts because you Duque, IATF and your leader believed that you know better and that you are the best. 🤮🤮🤮
— SNOOZE 🔍⍤⃝🥢💜 GEEʷᶦᵗʰ ᵇᵗˢ ⁷ 💜 (@theEKISlist) March 20, 2021
Duque was also called out after he went house-to-house giving free masks, face shields, and meter sticks.
On Friday, when COVID-19 cases spiked to the country’s second-highest tally to date (7,103), Duque distributed face masks, face shields, and meter sticks in some parts of Metro Manila.
Netizen @vincemagdangan slammed Duque for saying he didn’t expect the rise in COVID-19 cases adding he should do his homework as Health Secretary instead of doing propaganda like distributing face shields.
“Lahat na lang di mo inexpect. Do your homework, di yung namamasyal ka sa kalsada para mamigay ng face shield at magsukat ng isang metro gamit ang ruler. O mas maganda, please resign @SecDuque. Ikaw rin ser @attyharryroque sabay ka na.”
Lahat na lang di mo inexpect. Do your homework, di yung namamasyal ka sa kalsada para mamigay ng face shield at magsukat ng isang metro gamit ang ruler. O mas maganda, please resign @SecDuque. Ikaw rin ser @attyharryroque sabay ka na.
— Vince #NeverForget (@vincemagdangan) March 20, 2021
Even Kapamilya anchor Kuya Kim Atienza couldn’t help but tweet about Duque’s latest antics.
In his tweet, Kuya Kim asked Netizens’ opinions about what Duque did.
“Pag usapan natin ito. All opinions welcome, basta may respeto. Aprub o di Aprub? Bakit? Game.”
Pag usapan natin ito. All opinions welcome, basta may respeto. Aprub o di Aprub? Bakit? Game. https://t.co/zagVjv2oXU
— kim atienza (@kuyakim_atienza) March 19, 2021
@lilmisporcupine also reacted to Duque’s propaganda, asking if Duque believes that face shields are enough to suppress the surge in COVID-19 cases.
“How in the world can the DOH not expect that? Nakita naman na iba yung 2nd, 3rd surges sa ibang bansa with the new variants ah? Nagbukas tayo ng ekonomiya. Sobrang late na tayo sa inoculation program. Umasa ba talaga si Duque na ililigtas tayo ng face shields? Pure incompetence.”
How in the world can the DOH not expect that? Nakita naman na iba yung 2nd, 3rd surges sa ibang bansa with the new variants ah? Nagbukas tayo ng ekonomiya. Sobrang late na tayo sa inoculation program. Umasa ba talaga si Duque na ililigtas tayo ng face shields? Pure incompetence.
— porcupiña (@lilmsporcupine) March 20, 2021
