Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque received taunts, instead of sympathy, from Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate for testing positive to the dreaded novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In s press statement Zarate chided Roque and PNP chief General Debold Sinas , as the “epitome of impunity” and “ultimate example of pasaway (irresponsible) “ respectively.
“If full capacity hospital wards, spiking number by the thousands of covid19 infected persons like Gen. Debold Sinas and Harry Roque, lack of mass testing and delayed vaccination are the Duterte administration's definition of "excellent" pandemic response, then the country is really in for a much worse situation on the eve of the anniversary of the world's longest lockdown,” he stated.
Sinas tested positive for COVID-19 last week. He has been the object of criticisms after being caught twice ignoring health protocols imposed by government.
The first incident was when he celebrated last year his birthday with a “mananita” party notwithstanding the enhanced community quarantine being enforced at the time.
He reportedly ignored the required health screening and protocol when he visited Mindoro Occidental a few days ago and later found he was suffering from COVID 19.
“He may have infected many people in the gatherings he attended. Yet, until now, he has not been sanctioned for his careless actions endangering the lives of many citizens," said Zarate.
Roque, Zarate noted, has been visiting numerous places in the country.
“Yesterday, he was tested for Covid but instead of immediately isolating himself until he got the results, he even went to his office today thereby putting his officemates at risk. How pasaway can you get, especially for a government official lecturing ordinary people to follow health protocols," the opposition lawmaker noted.
According to Zarate in all of these events, government has continued to blame the public for the surge in COVID-19 cases.
He recalled that the deplorable government response to the pandemic that has killed thousands could be traced even at the start of the pandemic when a state of health emergency was belatedly declared.
"Isang taong anibersaryo na ng lockdown laban sa pandemya ng Covid,isang taon ng kapalpakan at militaristang pagsugpo sa pandemya, pero wala pa ding mass testing, pro-active and aggressive contact tracing, mabagal pa din ang vaccination at kulang o wala pa ding natatanggap na ayuda. (It is now the first anniversary of the lockdown against the Covid pandemic; a year of failures and militaristic attempt to fight the pandemic, but there remains no mass testing, pro-active and progressive contact tracing; vaccination remained slow emains no aid),” lamented Zarate.