Presidential spokesman Harry Roque is now seeking the strict enforcement of physical distancing as a precaution against the coronavirus infection in his public engagements.
(OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Learning his lesson from his controversial attendance in a large Cebu gathering, Roque said he has "demanded" the people around him to keep a safe distance when he visited Palawan Thursday.
The Palace official traveled to Palawan to promote the reopening of its tourism industry to help boost employment of residents. Visiting the country's tourist destinations has become an "advocacy" of the Roque in recent weeks.
"Tama po siguro ‘yan. Lesson learned na po 'yan (That's right. It's a lesson learned)," Roque said during a virtual press conference in Palawan.
"Kaya nung pumasok tayo dito sa Palawan, pagpaumanhin niyo po, I really demanded everyone should observe social distancing (So when we arrived in Palawan, I beg your pardon, I really demanded everyone should observe social distancing)," he added.
Roque made the statement after Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya urged government officials to lead by example in the observance of health protocols such as physical distancing. He said if a government official could not ensure that health measures will be implemented during an event, it would be best if the official will decline such activity.
Roque had been criticized after addressing a crowded local government event in Bantayan Island, Cebu that supposedly disregarded the distancing rule last week. He was in Cebu to grace the official opening of the Bantayan Island airport in an open-air event held by the beach.
The Palace official defended that he had no control over the activity organized by the local government of Cebu. But Roque explained that he observed health protocols such as wearing a mask and safe distancing during the event and reminded the crowd to do the same.
Roque cried foul over the alleged unfair media coverage of the Cebu incident after getting pummeled online with criticisms. He resented that while he was being criticized, some media entities did not report Vice President Leni Robredo’s community visits where she allegedly flouted the distancing rule.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government will reportedly launch a fact-finding inquiry into the alleged quarantine violations at the Cebu event attended by Roque.