The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) clarified that it is not promoting a “shame campaign” for patients who test positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is also no campaign to shame violators of the health protocols.
“Kami naman sa DILG, as an institution, we will never tolerate nor will we ever consider policy na ipapahiya natin itong mga COVID patients na ito. Technically, biktima sila ng sakit. May mga karapatan sila at hindi sila kailangang i-shame campaign (DILG, as an institution, will never tolerate nor will we ever consider a policy to shame COVID patients. Technically, they are victims of the disease. They have rights and do not need to be subjected to a shame campaign),” DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya pointed out.
According to DILG Undersecretary Martin Diño, his statement in a radio interview was misquoted. He apologized for the confusion it created regarding the “Shame Campaign”. He added that it is better for the public to call the attention of those who violate the health protocols amid the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has emphasized that shaming is prohibited in the law.
“We cannot correct a wrong by another wrong, and shaming is another wrong, and that is prohibited by RA 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act which considers shaming as a form of mental torture,” CHR Spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia stated. – Report from Patrick De Jesus
