Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on February 8, stated that he is ‘in isolation’ after one of his staff tested positive for Covid-19. However, he insisted that he did not get the novel coronavirus.
Nevertheless, Netizens presume that he is lying. Photographs of him surfaced online as he’s having a good time in Boracay despite claiming that he is in quarantine.
Netizen @TitaMeryl shared photos of Roque in Boracay after he claimed that he isolated himself to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, which one of his staff acquired.
ISOLATION? DUDE. HE WAS JUST DIVING HERE IN BORACAY YESTERDAY & WALKING BY THE BEACH.
I mean, do we still expect for Harry Roque to speak the truth about anything? pic.twitter.com/ijwhLakgj6
— Meryl Hilda 🌸 (@TitaMeryl) February 8, 2021
Netizens reacted to the lies spewed by the spokesperson.
Netizen @Tom_MD_ wanted the government agencies responsible for apprehending quarantine violators after photos of Roque surfaced while being on quarantine. The Netizen wanted the agencies not-turn-a-blind-eye and to punish those who violate protocols, like Roque.
Hello IATF, DILG, PNP. Tulog kayo? Ano? Babasahin lang natin ito and pretend na walang paglabag sa isolation protocol? This piece of shit is lying through his teeth. https://t.co/Fu87fVcwtw
— Tom (@MATom_MD) February 8, 2021
@deoenalpe_phi refuted the claim of Roque with a video of his being given instructions before diving. The netizen likewise called the public official a liar.
Anong nasa isolation ka @attyharryroque ? Eh nandito ka sa Boracay nung weekend. 🙄
Sinungaling ka. pic.twitter.com/PR4IUMg7MX
— Deo Enalpe 𝕩 (@deeoenalpe) February 8, 2021
@ricci_richy was also angered by his lying. His claim that he is in isolation is in contrast with him diving in Boracay.
Lies, Roque! All lies!
You had your PCR in Boracay?? Yung totoo? Napakasinungaling mo! Isolation tapos nakapag diving sa Boracay? Wow! https://t.co/UoQil4NfD5 pic.twitter.com/fqerGZo4R5
— ricci (@ricci_richy) February 8, 2021
Twitter personality @TitaPogi blamed the spokesperson as the number one spreader of Covid-19. The Netizen was disgusted with how Roque violated the strict quarantine protocols with ease.
Super spreader ng corona virus si @attyharryroque??
Baka kaya di matapos tapos ang pandemic kasi gala ng gala si @attyharryroque??
Sinungaling si @attyharryroque??
Magreresign ba sya?!?
Simula pa noon hangang ngayon, gahaman sa kapangyarihan at impluwensya yan?? https://t.co/aJ9Wo7QcIs
— Tita Pogi (@TitaPogi) February 8, 2021
Another Twitter personality @deedeeholliday_ also did not believe that Roque was in self-isolation as the netizen posted a conversation in the comment section stating that they knew the dive shop where the spokesperson spent his “isolation”.
So, allegedly, this government official na naka-self isolation was actually diving at Friday's Reef in Boracay.
Tse. pic.twitter.com/axTlXSAtf0
— DeeDee Marié Holliday #DragIsNotACrime (@DeeDeeMarieH) February 8, 2021
@JuliannaForce even ridiculed how Roque looked on his scuba outfit.
Hahahaha he’s so ugly hahahaha https://t.co/NY5sRcVR21
— GirlfriendMaterial (@JuliannaForce) February 8, 2021
With this accusations from the netizens, journalist Raissa Robles questioned Roque regarding the validity of the viral video.
Is this true Sir @attyharryroque ? https://t.co/VKLP7s76qs
— Raissa Robles (@raissawriter) February 8, 2021
A netizen has confirmed that Roque was indeed in Boracay being “isolated”. @Sushiguygaming revealed the authenticity of the circulating rumor stating that his friend saw him in Boracay taking a dip.
https://twitter.com/Sushiguygaming/status/1358737533715181568
Nevertheless, this is not the first time the spokesperson put himself into isolation during the pandemic. Last year, Roque put himself in the same position after a member of his security detail tested positive for Covid-19.
Moreover, government officials are ‘now’ exempted from taking the Covid test. Roque disclosed that the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases approved “unimpeded travel of government officials/personnel on official business, including employees of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation, to their place of destination.” The only requirement for officials on business travels is to present their ID and travel order.
Now, the question is: is this the reason why Roque doesn’t want public officials to go through isolation to have themselves some leisure time? What if one of them is a carrier of the deadly virus?
