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Remember when Sen. Richard Gordon said people shouldn’t rely on the government?

People are now starting to realize that Vice President Leni Robredo is more of a leader than Duterte can ever imagine becoming. Robredo’s efforts are highly appreciated by the public.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that as of Sunday, 67 have already lost their lives to Typhoon Ulysses. Others have been injured and over a dozen are missing.

22 have died in Cagayan Valley, 2 in Central Luzon, 17 in Calabarzon, 8 in the Bicol region, 10 in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and 8 in Metro Manila.

Around 25,852 houses are left in ruins. The agricultural sector meanwhile has incurred a damage of P1.19 billion while damage to infrastructure is at P469.7 million.

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte has assured the victims of Typhoon Ulysses that they will be rescued and taken care of by the government, but the #NasaanAngPangulo topic is still constantly being used on social media as an emphasis on his inaction amid the calamity.

People are now starting to realize that Vice President Leni Robredo is more of a leader than Duterte can ever imagine becoming. Robredo’s efforts are highly appreciated by the public.

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Many are saying that up to this day, Duterte remains inactive in providing assistance to those who need it.

#NasaanAngPangulo speaks more of Duterte’s lack of concern. He is the leader of the country therefore he is responsible for whatever is happening to its people.

The public wants concrete plans, not just televised briefings that are for the most part full of nothing.

It is as if Robredo is the president based on the assistance her office provides to the victims.

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The public is more frustrated than ever at the government because officials do not deliver what is needed.

Although government officials would refute this, Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon back in May admitted that the Filipino people shouldn’t “rely on the government” because “no one will take care of you or family best other than you.”

His remarks are now getting the attention of critics because that is the reality typhoon victims are currently facing.

One netizen pointed out how Gordon’s statement only means that citizens should just stop paying taxes because they do not get the services necessary for certain events.

There is no reason to pay taxes if the government is going to abandon its people.

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On Sunday, Duterte told reporters that there exists a resistance from Congress on the establishment of the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience.

“We’re having a resistance. Sa Congress mismo. May iba…doble na daw, a duplication of work. Tama na daw ‘yung isa,” Duterte said after a briefing with government officials in Legazpi City, Albay.

“Sa akin ok lang [That’s fine with me], I can do it in the meantime na maski iyan lang [even with just one]. What is important is that we have the machineries and the equipment, and you have the money and people are there, deployed before the typhoon comes,” he said.

Written by Charles Teves

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