Andanar slams critics “politicking” pandemic

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar slammed critics who are politicking ahead of the 2022 local and national elections by using the COVID-19 pandemic against the Duterte administration.

“We are dismayed by the recent comments that describe the government’s proactive responses to contain the recent surge of COVID-19 as lacking in leadership,” Andanar said, reacting to the recent remarks of Senators Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos, Panfilo Lacson, and Nancy Binay against the government’s way of handling the pandemic.

Andanar also expressed disappointment over the “recycled and counterproductive” criticisms that “do not benefit anyone else, other than individuals with planned political endeavors.”

He told critics that the current surge in COVID-19 cases is driven by the new variants of the coronavirus which are more contagious, adding that other countries are also experiencing a sudden spike in COVID-19 infections.

Nevertheless, Andanar said the government is open to “concrete” and “actionable” suggestions and assured the public that the government is doing its best to contain the spread of COVID-19.