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A Foucauldian Discourse Analysis of Duterte’s Constructions of
Community Quarantine during COVID-19 Pandemic
Merimee Tampus-Siena
Ateneo De Manila University
Abstract
The novel corona virus (COVID-19) which have originated from Wuhan, China first hit
the Philippines in January while being in the initial stage of a global pandemic (Edrada et al.,
2020). By March, 633 suspected cases were reported, urging the national government to create
measures to secure public health and fight against the threats of the pandemic, thus declaring
community quarantine beginning March 15, 2020. This study utilized Foucauldian Discourse
Analysis in understanding President Duterte’s discourses about community quarantine during
COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. Two of his press conferences served as texts for
discourse analysis: (a) on March 12, 2020 when he announced measures against COVID-19
threat and (b) on March 16, 2020 when enhanced community quarantine was imposed. Results
showed five wider discourses: (1) Community Quarantine as a protection of public health; (2)
Community Quarantine as an executive order to put structure in the country; (3) Community
Quarantine as lockdown; (4) Community Quarantine as different from Martial Law; and (5)
Community Quarantines as a call for bayanihan. Results also showed how the discourses
transitioned from community quarantine to enhanced community quarantine. The results are
discussed in relation to power and social change.