Duterte and Robredo’s typhoon effort deemed as 'politicized' by several senators

Several senators on Wednesday expressed their opinions by saying that the efforts for the typhoon victims have become “politicized” after President Rodrigo Duterte spoke on national television, targeting criticisms about the way he handled the disaster.

The President ranted against Vice President Leni Robredo during his televised address for about 20 minutes, claiming that Robredo made him look like he was missing-in-action during the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses. However, Robredo never made such a statement as she was busy in her relief operations.

“It is sad that we have come to the point when relief efforts are being politicized at the expense of our countrymen who direly need all the help we can give especially at this time when we were hit by a series of calamities,” Sen. Nancy Binay said in a statement.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III also posted a cryptic tweet that said, “Ang daming talkice sa pagtulong.Tulong na lang! MATTEW 6:3.”

Both senators did not clarify who they were exactly referring to between Duterte and Robredo who were both photographed visiting calamity-hit areas in recent days.

A minority bloc of the senators claimed that the President was just “insecure” of Robredo and even defended the VP.

"Ang mahalaga kay VP Leni ay kung paano makatulong sa mga kababayan natin mula Cagayan hanggang Bicol na tinamaan ng bagyo," Sen. Francis Pangilinan, who led the opposition Liberal Party, said.

"Tulong sa kapwa, hindi mga gawa-gawang kwento at hindi away, ang dapat tuununan ng pansin ng lahat," he added.

Detained Sen. Leila de Lima also said that Duterte should instead invest his energy in working and in serving the nation rather than politicking.

"Duterte’s latest meltdown does not deserve any retort or serious attention," she shared.

Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, quoted a statement from Robredo, saying there is “no space for our ego when lives are at stake.”

Photo from CNN Philippines