Former Solicitor General and defeated senatorial candidate Florin Hilbay criticized President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to ask Congress for special powers to address the COVID-19 crisis in the Philippines.
In his tweet, Hilbay said that President Duterte had all the chances to prevent the virus from entering the Philippine territory by implementing an early travel ban on Mainland China and inform all Filipinos about the possible dangers of the virus.
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“Sir, don’t make it appear as if you were powerless prior to the Special Powers Law given by Congress. You had all powers to impose a travel ban on China, inform Filipinos, & prepare all institutions of government as early as January. You had enough funds,” Hilbay said.
“YOU DIDN’T DO ANYTHING,” he added.
Sir, don't make it appear as if you were powerless prior to the Special Powers Law given by Congress.
You had all powers to impose travel ban on China, inform Filipinos, & prepare all institutions of government as early as January. You had enough funds.
YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.
— Pilo Hilbay (@fthilbay) March 24, 2020
President Duterte, a few months ago was accused of letting the Chinese enter the country despite the outbreak happening in Wuhan and he only issued a travel ban when the World Health Organization declared the outbreak to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern
Despite his criticisms yesterday to the President, Hilbay then praised Duterte for his well-mannered speech moments before he signed the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,” into the law.
According to him, Duterte’s recent speech is a product of the criticisms being received by the President.
“The President’s speech last night was impressive–sumunod sa script, walang mura at yabang. It was the clearest display of the power of free speech and public criticism: narinig nya ang galit at sama ng loob ng mga tao,” Hilbay said.
“So if you think speaking out does nothing, think again,” he added.
The President's speech last night was impressive–sumunod sa script, walang mura at yabang.
It was the clearest display of the power of free speech and public criticism: narinig nya ang galit at sama ng loob ng mga tao.
So if you think speaking out does nothing, think again.
— Pilo Hilbay (@fthilbay) March 25, 2020
Hilbay is one of the known critics of the Duterte administration who questioned the first version of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
“Would you trust the President, or any other person for that matter, to wield this kind of power to fight #COVID19PH ?” he said on a past tweet.