PRESIDENT Duterte spent a lot of time on Monday night explaining to the public why he has been conducting his weekly briefings via nationwide television which he called “Talk to the People.”
This program used to be presented live, with members of the Cabinet and sometimes, resource persons, allowed to report on the latest developments in their line of expertise. Later on, the TV program became only a pre-recorded public address of the President.
Topic of this “Talk to the People” has almost always been the COVID-19 pandemic and its overall effect on the national economy. Oftentimes, too, the program becomes a platform for Duterte to vilify and verbally abuse his perceived enemies and political critics, something that the Filipino people have been accustomed to hear.
‘… since “Talk to the People” is a pre-recorded speech, why air it in the middle of the night, when people are sleeping or are about to sleep and rest from the hardship and privation of the long, punishing day? It does not make sense.’
Last Monday night, President Duterte took pains to explain to the public that he was holding his weekly pre-recorded public address because someone from the government had to communicate with the people about the status of the country’s COVID-19 pandemic response efforts.
The Chief Executive acknowledged that current restrictions would limit mass gatherings and even private parties, but stressed that the government must continue working despite the health risks lurking everywhere.
Duterte recognized the danger to his personal health that their meetings entail, but he declared that the risks came with the job.
“We do not want to do it. One is really because of our safety, public health, and second is, well, somebody has to communicate with the people,” he said in his usual mangled English.
“If bawalan mo lahat magtrabaho (If they will prevent us from working), then the machinery of government will stop to grind,” he said. “Sino ngayon ang mag (Who will then become) – what is the face of government at this time?” he added.
We have no quarrel with the President if he desires to speak regularly with the people, even if in a one-way communication venue. That is his prerogative. The question, however is this: since “Talk to the People” is a pre-recorded speech, why air it in the middle of the night, when people are sleeping or are about to sleep and rest from the hardship and privation of the long, punishing day? It does not make sense.
