EXPLAINER: What went wrong with Duterte’s pandemic response?

It’s 2020 all over again in the Philippines.

More than a year after the pandemic began, cases are surging at unprecedented, alarming levels. Since March 19, 2021, the health department has been reporting more than 5,000 new cases of COVID-19 daily.

On Friday, March 26, new cases reached 9,838 – the highest single day tally since the pandemic began. Experts project that by the end of March, cases could soar to more than 10,000 daily. 

While other countries are slowly going back to normal, the Philippines seems to be worse off than ever. What went wrong with President Rodrigo Duterte’s pandemic response?

Watch Rappler’s video explainer that dissects how the Duterte government mishandled the coronavirus health crisis. You can also watch the Filipino version of the explainer here or on Rappler’s Youtube channel. – Rappler.com/Nick Villavecer