Harry Roque once again criticized Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo over baseless claims after a suggestion that the two leaders do an infomercial to increase public confidence in Covid-19 vaccines.
The Presidential Spokesperson on Wednesday night, May 26, has falsely asserted that Robredo, after seeing an increase in the country’s vaccine supply–“volunteered” to do the infomercial.
“Sa loob-loob ko, matapos tayong siraan nang siraan eh ngayong nagiging matagumpay ang ating vaccination eh makikisama ngayon ‘no,” he said.
Contrary to what he claimed, it was the idea of Senator Joel Villanueva last week.
In a statement on May 20, Villanueva suggested that the Government should produce an infomercial featuring the country’s top two leaders to attract Filipinos to get inoculated.
“Ang isang mungkahi po natin, maglabas ng isang joint public service announcement ang Pangulo at ang Bise Pangulo.
“This is the kind of ad that will be effective in convincing a large part of our population that vaccines are safe,” said Villanueva in a statement.
“Ito po ang tambalang nakikita nating mabisa na pangontra sa mga fake news.
“Both are vaccine recipients, and are living proofs that vaccines do not harm,” he added.
As a result, personalities backed up Robredo by lambasting and correcting Roque on behalf of the VP.
Twitter personality AkoNgaSyLico explained to Roque that Robredo simply was opened to the suggestion.
He also pointed that the VP was not the person behind the idea but rather Sen. Villanueva.
Dear Roque:
Una, hindi si VP @lenirobredo ang nag-volunteer o nag-offer na gumawa ng infomercial, ideya ito na pinalutang ni Senator Joel Villanueva upang mahikayat ang tao na magpabakuna.
Naging bukas naman ang kampo ni Bise sa ideya dahil maganda ang layunin ng senador.
— #SyLicoNgaAko (@SyLicoNgaAko) May 26, 2021
In another tweet, the social media personality asserted that Roque tried to politicize the infomercial and claimed that Robredo linked the vaccine to the West Philippine Sea issue.
Roque is the one politicizing the issue by accusing @lenirobredo of linking the vaccine to the WPS issue.
Robredo in March backed the call of HCW for a review of the Sinovac vaccines over conflicting reports on its efficacy, a legit concern.
— #SyLicoNgaAko (@SyLicoNgaAko) May 26, 2021
TV personality Jules Guiang even advised Roque that for once, he should do something right.
@attyharryroque do something right naman kahit minsan https://t.co/I78BlOq2VH
— Jules Guiang (@julesguiang) May 26, 2021
Radio host Rowena Salvacion also took a swipe at Roque, who spread incorrect information when his job is “communication-centered.”
si secretary ang twisted ng facts na ibinigay kay PRRD. communication centered pa naman trabaho nyo sir. kung palaging ganyan, no wonder….?
— Rowena L. Salvacion (@wengsalvacion) May 27, 2021
Comedian John Lapus even called the Secretary a “liar.”
https://twitter.com/KorekKaJohn/status/1397810622297899010
Von Velasco, a twitter personality poked fun at Duterte and Roque, who claimed that the two were lying to each other.
https://twitter.com/renceqv/status/1397769760083828741
Apparently, according to GMA Network reporter Ivan Mayrina, after Roque got proven all wrong, he did not issue an apology to Robredo.
No correction, clarification, apologies issued for the statement in this afternoon’s press briefing. Spox Roque stands by his statement that VP Leni “volunteered” for the infomercial. https://t.co/am87qXMR11
— ivan mayrina (@ivanmayrina) May 27, 2021
Journalist Alan Robles noted that the Duterte administration, with the recent mishap on information regarding the infomercial, does not care about their mistakes.
He concluded that Duterte’s minions are brave enough to continue with their wrongdoings since they believe that they will not be held accountable.
See, they don't really care if they make mistakes or are caught lying crudely and baldfacedly. They'll just keep right on doing it. They believe their impunity is absolute and they won't be held to account. https://t.co/Wrgblidnh6
— alan c. robles @hotmanila@mastodon.online (@hotmanila) May 27, 2021
Not the first time.
It is not the first time that Roque falsely accused Robredo.
In 2019, when Salvador Panelo was still the Presidential Spokesperson, he claimed that Robredo failed to be an anti-drug czar. However, based on Rappler, who fact-checked Panelo’s statement, it turned out that Duterte and his minions prevented Robredo from doing her actual job as an anti-drug czar.
In 2020, during the lashing of typhoon Ulysses, Duterte falsely accused his second-in-command that she was asking his whereabouts while the hurricane devastated the country. Contrary to the President’s claim, Robredo only called out Panelo, now Duterte’s legal counsel to stop peddling fake news.
And earlier this March, the Palace accused Robredo of politicking and campaigning amid the pandemic. However, the Presidential daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s supporters started to urge the public to help them encourage the mayor to run for the Presidency.
There was even a motorcade held in Davao to spread such advocacy. Also, Sara Duterte’s tarpaulins got scattered along EDSA and other parts of NCR.
