President Rodrigo Duterte revealed that they’re considering to extend the enhanced community quarantine until April 30.

During his televised address, the President said that they already discussed the possibility of extending the lockdown

“If you really want to know, we have discussed it actually even before this, we are inclined to extend the lockdown up to April 30, tignan natin,” Duterte said.

The lockdown was supposed to end two weeks from now.

Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. already hinted at the possible lockdown extension a few days ago to ensure control of the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Galvez explained that the cases are still rising and it might only give difficulties to the government if they decided to end the lockdown quickly.

Vice President Leni Robredo and businesses also supported the lockdown extension.

Duterte also vowed to hasten their discussion about their actions to help the middle-class families in the Philippines after he received a letter from Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla.

Remulla said that people belong to the middle-class should also be eligible to be part of the social amelioration program of the Duterte administration as they “pay the most taxes”.

“It is a time of crisis for everyone. Not just the poorest of the poor, but also those who have built much but not enough. They wait for the LGU’s to give them relief goods but those come few and far in between. They scrimp and pawn and borrow. They are barely surviving,” Remulla stated.

“As governor, I am respectfully asking that you consider them to be part of the social amelioration program. They may not get as much as the poorest of the poor but please consider their welfare. They are often overlooked. They pay the most taxes. They keep our economy alive. They are mostly law-abiding citizens. They need a break,” he also said.

Before he ended his speech, Duterte hoped that the situation improves in the upcoming days.

Cavite Government Jonvic Remulla writes an open letter to President Rodrigo Duterte asking the latter to include the middle class to the social amelioration program of the government.

In his social media post, Remulla explained that while middle-class people are not considered as the poorest of the poor, they’re still affected by the crisis.

As the leader of one of the biggest provinces in the Philippines, Remulla believes that middle-class families living in subdivisions don’t mean they’re not being affected by the enhanced community quarantine as they’re still relying to their monthly paychecks.

The government also told the President that the people belonged to the middle class contributing so much to the economy of the country that’s why they should not be disregarded.

According to iMoney.ph, people belong to the middle class are earning approximately ₱11,915 to ₱49,526 per month.

You can read his open letter below:

“I write to you today to appeal for the middle class. I come from a province that is over 70% migrants. People who have climbed their way up in life: buying a house on mortgage; sending their children through college; having a their 1st car or motorcycle on a 5 year instalment basis. 300,000 of them work in manila. 400,000 directly (factory workers) and indirectly (feeding, clothing, driving, retailing) from our economic zones. Our poverty incidence is one of the lowest in the country and our GDP per capita is just about the highest of all LGU’s outside of metro Manila.

The Covid-19 pandemic has hit my province hard. Despite that I am not asking for anything to be given to the local government. We can fend for ourselves, but not everybody can.

The recent announcement of the issuance of a Social Amelioration Card gave people a lot of hope. In the past 3 weeks most have depleted their savings. Families of 8 stay in housing units 24 to 40 square meters small. Cramped as they are, they are generally optimistic people. Despite all that, they are hurting.

Most of the people who live in subdivisions such as tierra nevada, or tree lane, or lancaster, are employed in the private sector or SME’s. Double income homes, OFW’s, single mothers, transport operators and entrepreneurs, all of them rely on a monthly pay check. As grand as their gated villages sound, they are middle class people who see their pay checks every month deducted of their SSS,GSIS, Pag-ibig and salary loans, and the largest part-income taxes.

It is a time of crisis for everyone. Not just the poorest of the poor, but also those who have built much but not enough. They wait for the LGU’s to give them relief goods but those come few and far in between. They scrimp and pawn and borrow. They are barely surviving.

As governor, I am respectfully asking that you consider them to be part of the social amelioration program. They may not get as much as the poorest of the poor but please consider their welfare. They are often overlooked. They pay the most taxes. They keep our economy alive. They are mostly law-abiding citizens. They need a break.

Thank you very much and I hope you receive this in the spirit that it was intended. Not for politics nor favour but for the people and their well being”

Three days ago, the Department of Social and Welfare Development (DSWD) launched the social amelioration program, which according to President Duterte, is the “largest and widest” in the “country’s history”.

Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. expressed sadness over the recent remarks of Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno whom he considered as a ‘friend’ and colleague in showbiz.

Revilla, in a Facebook live video, addressed Moreno for criticizing the 24 senators of the republic, calling the statement of the Manila City Mayor as unfair.

“Si Yorme, tinira kaming mga senador, sana naman wag ganon, masakit dahil alam naman natin na you’re a very good friend of mine, alam mo naman na lahat kami nagta-trabaho, di kami nag papabaya,” Revilla said.

The Senator from Cavite said that they couldn’t afford to help the whole country that’s why the Manila Mayor should understand that they could only help the people at their bailiwicks.

He also revealed that all the Senators were disappointed over Moreno’s remarks.

Revilla said that they did their mandate despite the possible risk of getting infected by COVID-19 just to pass the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act.

“Kaya yung banat samin ni Yorme, wag ganon, tulungan tayo hindi ito ang panahon ng pag batikos, wag mo kaming personalin, minsan nakakasama ng loob,” Revilla said.

“Nag usap usap nga kami dun sa aming Viber group, saktan kaming lahat dahil unfair yun sa amin, dahil nung pumasok pa kami kahit na alam nating delikado ilan na nga yung nagkasakit, pero gayon paman tuloy parin ang trabaho namin,”  he added.

Revilla is one of 11 the Senators who attended the special session on March 28.

He then urged the people to help the country instead of focusing on criticizing the public officials.

“Sama sama po tayo, alam ko po ang nararamdaman nang bawat isa sa inyo, alam ko po kung anong nararamdaman ng mga LGUs, ng mga ating mga Mayors, talagang yung mga alkalde talagang halos wala po silang pahinga, pero sila ang tumatangap ng lahat ng dagok,” he said.

LGUs and public officials were also lack of funds according to Revilla, that’s why the public should not assume that they’re corrupting the budget of the people.

“Akala nila ninanakaw nila yung pera, pero totoo sa tingin ko kulang na kulang yan dahil hindi sapat ang pondo natin, kaya kailangan talaga ang ayuda ng National Government nakahanda po kaming mga Senador at Kongresista para tumugon sa pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan,” Revilla remarked.

A few days ago, Mayor Isko Moreno criticized the Senators and urged them to help the people.

“Mga senador, 24 lang kayo, mga sekretaryo, mga pulitikong katulad ko, ngayon natin ipakita, ipakita ninyo ang pagmamahal ninyo sa Pilipino. Kaming mga tiga-Maynila, Pilipino rin. Ngayon niyo ipakita, maraming nagdadarahop.” Moreno said.

“Wala ba kayong mga puso? Maswerte kayo, pinagpala kayo. Maswerte tayo nakaluwag tayo sa buhay. Paano yung mga naghihikahos dahil sa krisis na ito at yung mga naghihikahos sa kasalukuyan. Hindi tayo magkakaunawaan sa salitaan, hindi tayo magkakaunawaan sa mga political ideologies.”  he added.

Moreno’s statement catches the attention of the public and several senators including Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III denied the accusation of Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno that all of his colleagues are not helping the people affected by the enhanced community quarantine.

In a Tweet, Sotto revealed that some members of the Senate are donating more than their monthly salaries to the people, without broadcasting it.

“The Senators have been donating more than just their salaries since day one but never published it!” Sotto said.

The Senators have been donating more than just their salaries since day one but never published it!

— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) April 5, 2020

The Senate President also shared a verse from the bible about giving the needy.

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” the Senator posted.

pic.twitter.com/WAFAnMZC7F

— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) April 5, 2020

Sotto made the said tweets after he made controversial remarks yesterday, saying that they’re not tasked to repack relief goods for the people.

“Our duty as lawmakers is to promptly pass the enabling law so the exec dept can use govt funds to respond during this health crisis. We did so in 18 hrs. it’s not our mandate to repack rice and sardines with a complete PR team around us. Some of us do, WITHOUT the PR team!” Sotto said yesterday.

Our duty as lawmakers is to promptly pass the enabling law so the exec dept can use govt funds to respond during this health crisis. We did so in 18 hrs. it’s not our mandate to repack rice and sardines with a complete PR team around us. Some of us do, WITHOUT the PR team!

— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) April 4, 2020

A few days ago, Mayor Isko Moreno slammed the 24 senators of the Philippines and asked them if they’re already heartless as they’re not being seen helping the people affected by the ECQ.

“Mga senador, 24 lang kayo, mga sekretaryo, mga pulitikong katulad ko, ngayon natin ipakita, ipakita ninyo ang pagmamahal ninyo sa Pilipino. Kaming mga tiga-Maynila, Pilipino rin. Ngayon niyo ipakita, maraming nagdadarahop.” Moreno said.

“Wala ba kayong mga puso? Maswerte kayo, pinagpala kayo. Maswerte tayo nakaluwag tayo sa buhay. Paano yung mga naghihikahos dahil sa krisis na ito at yung mga naghihikahos sa kasalukuyan. Hindi tayo magkakaunawaan sa salitaan, hindi tayo magkakaunawaan sa mga political ideologies.”  he added.

Aside from encouraging high-ranking officials to help, Moreno and the other elected officials of Manila City announced that they’re going to donate their salary to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III responded to Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno’s call to some politicians to go out and help the needy affected by the ‘enhanced community quarantine’ (ECQ).

On a statement, Sotto III defended the mandate of the Senate and explained that they’re not being useless on fighting the COVID-19 crisis in the country.

“Mga kababayan, bilang Pangulo ng Senado, nais ko po, una sa lahat, pasalamatan ang lahat ng ating mamamayan lalo na ang mga tagapangalaga ng kalusugan na tumutulong ng taos puso at walang pagyayabang. Ang pagtulong sa kapwa na walang hinihintay na kapalit o papuri ay tunay na dakila,” Sotto said in his most recent statement.

“Para naman dun sa ilang kababayan natin na nagyayabang at mahilig maghamon sa mga Senador at pulitiko na lumabas at tumulong sa kapwa, sana ay mahismasmasan kayo at magkaroon ng tamang katinuhan,” he added.

Moreno, and also businessman Francis Leo Marcos urged the high-ranking officials to help needy.

However, Sotto said that they already did their contribution by pushing for the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act.

He also said that they should stop using the current situation of the country to push for their political agendas.

“Sang-ayon ako na bawal mamulitika kung kaya’t hinahamon ko lahat ng pulitiko sa buong bansa lalo na ang mga mayayabang na local official, na wag gamitin ang pagtulong sa kanilang mga nasasakupan para sa pansariling ambisyon,” Sotto said.

“Tigilan natin ang pagpapacover ng mga ating ginagawa, ito naman ay ating sinumpaang tungkulin. Tigilan muna ang pagiging EPAL at pagiging KSP,” he added.

Photo: Vicente Tito Sotto Facebook page

The Senate President also added another message on his Twitter, saying that they’re not mandated to repack sardines and rice for the poor then publicize it.

“Our duty as lawmakers is to promptly pass the enabling law so the exec dept can use govt funds to respond during this health crisis. We did so in 18 hrs. it’s not our mandate to repack rice and sardines with a complete PR team around us. Some of us do, WITHOUT the PR team!” Sotto said.

Our duty as lawmakers is to promptly pass the enabling law so the exec dept can use govt funds to respond during this health crisis. We did so in 18 hrs. it’s not our mandate to repack rice and sardines with a complete PR team around us. Some of us do, WITHOUT the PR team!

— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) April 4, 2020

Recently, Senator Ping Lacson also reminded Mayor Isko Moreno about the real mandate of the Senate.

“Yorme, kaya po namamahagi ngayon ang gobyerno ng tulong pinansyal kasama na ang lungsod ng Maynila ay dahil nagpagod at nagpuyat ang mga senador kahit may banta ng COVID-19 para ipasa ang Bayanihan Act. Iyan kasi ang mandato namin. Mali ang paratang ninyo na wala kaming ginagawa,” Lacson said.

Yesterday, Mayor Isko Moreno asked if the high-ranking public officials are being heartless now because they’re not doing anything to help the needy.

“Mga senador, 24 lang kayo, mga sekretaryo, mga pulitikong katulad ko, ngayon natin ipakita, ipakita ninyo ang pagmamahal ninyo sa Pilipino. Kaming mga tiga-Maynila, Pilipino rin. Ngayon niyo ipakita, maraming nagdadarahop.” Moreno said.

“Wala ba kayong mga puso? Maswerte kayo, pinagpala kayo. Maswerte tayo nakaluwag tayo sa buhay. Paano yung mga naghihikahos dahil sa krisis na ito at yung mga naghihikahos sa kasalukuyan. Hindi tayo magkakaunawaan sa salitaan, hindi tayo magkakaunawaan sa mga political ideologies.”  he added.

Moreno is not yet releasing a response to the statement of the Senators.

Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno urged the public to avoid being used by other politicians to push for their political agenda amid the enhanced community quarantine being imposed by the national government.

The government is facing criticisms on social media and accused them of not acting swiftly to solve the current crisis being faced by the government.

But Mayor Moreno believes that even the richest countries in the world were facing difficulties in handling the crisis.

Instead of criticizing, he urged the people to use their free time during enhanced community quarantine to do self-reflection.

“Tignan niyo ang mga matatayog na bansa, tiklop sila. Tayo pa kaya. Kaya imbes na ituro natin ang ating daliri sa mga tao na iilan sa pamahalaan, siguro maganda naman na manalamin tayo. Tignan natin ang ating sarili sa salamin at tanungin natin ang ating sarili, ano nga ba ang pakikiisa ko na labanan ang kaaway ng lahat, ang covid-19?” Moreno said.

“Wag po tayong pagagamit sa ilang panawagan diyan, sa ilang sisihan diyan ng mga politiko. Wag po. Walang maitutulong sa inyo ang mga politika ng politiko laban sa covid-19. Ang mananalo lang sa away ng politiko ay kapwa politiko. Palitan man natin ang liderato, walang makakapagbigay ng tamang solusyon sa ating kinakaharap. Maghunos dili tayo. Paulit-ulit kong sinasabi,” he added.

A few days ago, thousands of netizens on Twitter criticized President Rodrigo Duterte and called for his ouster because of some of the controversial actions did by the government amid the ECQ.

However, until today, the President of the country is still Duterte.

Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson reminded Mayor Isko Moreno about the role of the senate on the financial assistance being distributed by the national government to the Local Government Units (LGUs) which includes Manila City.

In a tweet, Lacson opposed the remarks of Moreno who called the Senators heartless for not helping the people affected by the enhanced community quarantine.

According to Lacson, Moreno is wrong for assuming that the Senators, because they also did their mandate, sacrificed their time and energy to pass to ‘Bayanihan to Heal As One Act”.

“Yorme, kaya po namamahagi ngayon ang gobyerno ng tulong pinansyal kasama na ang lungsod ng Maynila ay dahil nagpagod at nagpuyat ang mga senador kahit may banta ng COVID-19 para ipasa ang Bayanihan Act. Iyan kasi ang mandato namin. Mali ang paratang ninyo na wala kaming ginagawa,” Lacson said.

Yorme, kaya po namamahagi ngayon ang gobyerno ng tulong pinansyal kasama na ang lungsod ng Maynila ay dahil nagpagod at nagpuyat ang mga senador kahit may banta ng COVID-19 para ipasa ang Bayanihan Act. Iyan kasi ang mandato namin. Mali ang paratang ninyo na wala kaming ginagawa.

— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) April 4, 2020

Yesterday, Moreno urged the Senators to donate their salaries to the people affected by the ‘enhanced community quarantine’.

“Mga senador, 24 lang kayo, mga sekretaryo, mga pulitikong katulad ko, ngayon natin ipakita, ipakita ninyo ang pagmamahal ninyo sa Pilipino. Kaming mga tiga-Maynila, Pilipino rin. Ngayon niyo ipakita, maraming nagdadarahop.” Moreno said.

“Wala ba kayong mga puso? Maswerte kayo, pinagpala kayo. Maswerte tayo nakaluwag tayo sa buhay. Paano yung mga naghihikahos dahil sa krisis na ito at yung mga naghihikahos sa kasalukuyan. Hindi tayo magkakaunawaan sa salitaan, hindi tayo magkakaunawaan sa mga political ideologies.”  he added.

The statement of Moreno has gone viral on the internet especially when the people saw that the Mayor was already emotional while addressing the high-ranking public officials in the country.