Contradicting directives

A guy (or girl) who goes by the pseudonym ‘Joe Americano’ – Filipino or American, undetermined – posted an insightful view on the President’s COVID-19 declarations.

In the President’s first live telecast at Malacanang, he seemed to exhibit sincere concern on the gravity of the epidemic.

Viewers clearly understood his message – he directed all local government units to do their jobs and provide for the needs of their residents for the duration of the Metrowide lockdown.

The nearly hour-long monologue was dotted with the trademark presidential expletives. 

Immediately after, netizens bashed the President for failing to acknowledge the untiring heroism of medical frontliners, while praising China for the offer to help.

(Based on reports, China is showing the way to recovery. They have dispatched medical teams and supplies to Italy and Iran. However, many are wary on their offers of financial assistance particularly in the form of loans – not grants – to countries most needing help, like the Philippines. China already gave financial assistance to Sri Lanka.)

Eventually, LGUs not acting quick enough got the ire of their constituents. But two mayors got praises even from non-residents – Vico Sotto of Pasig and Isko Moreno of Manila.

Apart from their quick action, they got innovative. With the suspension of all mass transport, both mayors tapped the use of tricycles to bring medical workers to hospitals – Vico approved using regular tricycles; Isko used the city’s e-trikes.

The DILG scorned their decision, saying it went against the rule on social distancing, placing passengers at risk of contamination. But the objection eventually focused on Vico, not Isko. The DILG warned to punish mayors not following the lockdown directives, no mention of the Manila mayor.

Then, the President spoke again, this time on a delayed telecast, obviously editing out the expletives. As in the first monologue, it aired late in the night.

But his message was clearly contrary to his first directive. He was now ordering all LGUs to follow the national government and all lockdown mandates. He was not giving LGUs any flexibility. Mayors were directed to follow the quarantine rules to the letter.

It was obviously referring to the popular Pasig Mayor’s discretionary use of public transport for medical frontliners. But Mayor Isko was spared.

Joe Americano further posited that the President was probably just mouthing whatever was fed to him – that something or someone influenced his complete turnaround.

China can be credited for its recovery to its government’s iron fist implementation of containment measures. Could our President be taking a cue? But he is cautious against any accusation of human rights violation, again.

Even with a total lockdown, Filipinos are not taking the epidemic seriously. The distribution of relief goods especially to depressed communities for the coming weeks will definitely usher in street anarchy. Social order is definitely fragile today.