Drilon criticizes IATF's pandemic response, Roque defends

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon stated that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has failed in its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, citing the rising number of cases which had surpassed 70,000.

He specifically criticized Health Secretary Duque for a lack of credibility and questioned the absence of the economic team in IATF deliberations.

IATF spokesperson Harry Roque disputed Drilon's observation, stating that the Philippines has a low mortality rate and "good" critical care capacity.

Roque also pointed out that most cases are mild and asymptomatic, and the country has not met the projected 3.5 million cases from the University of the Philippines.

He added that the government has succeeded as long as it minimizes death rates, emphasizing that "one life loss is too much."

Malacañang accused the opposition of politicizing the pandemic after Drilon's claims.