Hontiveros calls hotel takeover drastic, unnecessary

Senator Risa Hontiveros described the potential takeover of hotels by the government for use as quarantine facilities as a "drastic" and unnecessary measure.

Hontiveros stated that such extreme actions would not be required if the government had properly established health facilities from the outset.

She highlighted that Congress had allocated P9 billion for temporary isolation and treatment facilities under the Bayanihan 2 law.

The senator advocated for "evidence-based true responses" to the pandemic rather than forceful approaches.

President Duterte had previously mentioned the possibility of ordering hotel takeovers for quarantine purposes but acknowledged it is not a desired remedy in a democratic state.