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Critics fail to disconcert Harry Roque

Philippines | National

Critics fail to disconcert Harry Roque

By Genalyn Kabiling

He has been receiving a lot of online hate but Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque is not at all bothered.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (OPS / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Instead of getting angry, Roque is actually grateful for the bashing on social media which he claimed keeps him popular. The former lawmaker even suggested to haters to continue their mean comments against him.

"Ipagpatuloy ang pagba-bash ninyo kasi kung hindi, baka hindi ako mapansin. Mamaya baka bumaba ang hits ko sa Facebook eh di kawawa naman ako, makalimutan na ako. (Just continue your bashing because if not, I won't get noticed and my hits on Facebook might drop. Poor me, I'll be forgotten)," he said in jest during an interview with Politiko, an online news website.

Roque said he does not read the negative comments about him but is aware how such content has boosted his online presence.

"Grabe ako ngayon di ba. Lahat ng mga bashers are keeping me high on Facebook.. Thank you very much po. (I'm really on a roll. All my bashers are keeping me high on Facebook. Thank you very much)," he said.

"Hindi ko sila binabasa pero pinapataas ang aking analytics (I don't read them but they're boosting my analytics)," he added.

Since his return to the Palace podium last April, Roque has drawn online attention, from negative comments to funny memes, over controversial statements and actions. Among the controversial pronouncements were Roque's "Congratulations Philippines" remark for beating a University of the Philippines prediction on COVID-19 cases, and asking people not to be choosy with their coronavirus vaccines.

Roque, known for being spirited and chatty,Â explained that he is just being honest in his remarks.Â He said he never pretended to be someone else, adding that it's up to the people whether or not to accept him.

"You get what you see... Kung ayaw ninyo sa akin, eh di huwag. Wala akong magagawa. (If you don't like me, then don't. I can't do anything about it)," he said.

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