Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado has apologized for erroneously saying COVID-14 instead of COVID-19 in one of her Facebook live sessions last week.
The local chief executive took the chance to say sorry for the mistake on her husband Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla’s Facebook live video on her birthday on Monday.
“Sa mga natuwa sa aking pagkakamali, ‘Labanan ang COVID-14’. Sorry po, madami po talagang iniisip. Pero sorry po sa mga nagalit, ‘wag na ho kayong magalit, tapos na ang Mahal na Araw,” said Lani.
She added, “Bawal magkamali pala ang alkalde. Tao lang po, pasensya na.”
The city mayor went on to say that the local government is continuing its efforts in addressing the health crisis.
“Pero ginagawa po talaga natin lahat ng ating magagawa para lang ma-alpasan natin itong mga pasubok na ito.
“We all pray na sana mahanap na po talaga yung lunas ng COVID-19,” Lani said, correctly referring to the coronavirus disease.
Despite receiving hateful comments and criticism online for the blunder, Lani assured that she is just fine.
“I’m okay, I’m happy. I’m not mad. Masaya po, kahit bina-bash po, okay lang,” she said.
Revilla, on the other hand, came to the defense of his wife.
“Alam niyo sa panahon na ‘to, talagang minsan hindi mo na alam kung ano yung gagawin mo para sa mga kababayan mo, dahil kahit na anong gawin mo, may pula at pula pa rin, pero ang importante ay gawin mo ano ang dapat para sa kanila,” he said.
He added: “Sabi nga ni mayora, nagkamali siya, COVID-14. Well, medyo nadulas lang siya nun, nagkamali, nobody’s perfect. Lahat naman tayo nagkakamali. Very minor. Naging katawa-tawa. Napaligaya naman niya ‘yung ibang tao. ‘Yon nga lang, naging katawa-tawa. Pero it’s okay.”
