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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Roque takes a swipe at Robredo: 'Reality bites'

Roque takes a swipe at Robredo: 'Reality bites'

Published Feb 8, 2021 03:57 pm

"Reality bites.” 

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque took the latest dig at Vice President Leni Robredo after she reportedly could not accept the string of accomplishments of the Duterte administration.

Vice President Leni Robredo and Presidential spokesman Harry Roque
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Robredo earlier said Filipinos do not deserve rude and arrogant public servants, adding some officials were ganging up on her over her criticisms of the government's pandemic response.  The vice president made the statement a day after Roque's controversial "drop dead" remark to critics when he took pride of government's infrastructure projects and efforts to fight the COVID-19 outbreak.

"Well, I can only quote Winona Ryder, 'Reality bites,'" Roque said during a televised press briefing Monday, Feb. 8, reacting to Robredo's statement. 

"Hindi po matanggap talaga na nagtatagumpay ang gobyerno sa lahat ng kaniyang mga programa, kasama na po sa laban natin dito sa COVID-19 and reality bites (They cannot accept the government is succeeding in all its programs, including the fight against COVID-19. Reality bites)," he said.

Robredo should avoid hurling innuendo and instead clearly state any issue against the government, according to Roque.

"Kung talagang may genuine issue po na ilalabas sa gobyerno, ilabas na po iyong totoong issue na iyan. Tama na po iyang mga pasaring na ganyan (If there is a genuine issue about the government, better say the true issue. Stop making such kind of innuendo). Reality bites is all I can say," he said.

In a government activity related to the construction of the Metro Manila subway project last Saturday, Feb. 6, Roque hit back at government critics and told them "manigas kayong lahat" (drop dead).  The President's spokesman was among the government officials present to welcome the arrival of a tunnel boring machine for the country's first subway system.

“Let today’s event be recorded in the annals of Philippine history as another first of the Duterte administration. And to his critics, I have only this to say: Manigas kayong lahat (Drop dead),” he said.

Roque claimed that the President would be remembered "for the renaissance of infrastructure, for beating COVID-19, and of course, for all the social legislation that he has shepherded, including those on universal health care and free tuition in state colleges and universities."

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