Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has apparently disagreed with his boss President Duterte on the need to publicly discuss a "weighty" issue.
During a virtual press briefing Wednesday, Sept. 1, Roque agreed with a journalist--albeit lightheartedly--that it was unnecessary for Duterte to bring up Senator Richard Gordon's weight during the Chief Executive's latest "Talk to the People" public address.
"I may be spokesperson but I agree. Mr. President, huwag mo na sitahin ang katabaan dahil, mea culpa, mataba rin ako (Don't bring up issues on weight because, mea culpa, I'm also fat)," he said, before bursting in laughter.
"Mea culpa, Mr. President. Magpapapayat na rin po ako. Nagpapapayat naman ako kaya lang sarado po ang mga gym, kaya wala (I will also try to lose weight. I've been doing that actually, but the gyms are closed)," Roque said.
"Tapos nung panahon pong mag-eexercise, pati exercise pinagbawalan (And when it was time to exercise, they prohibited exercising)," he added, referring to the time when exercising outdoors was temporarily outlawed by the Metro Manila Council.
"Ngayon ang hirap na pong bumalik sa exercise. Pero susubukan ko po. Magpapapayat din po ako (Now, it's hard to get back to exercising. But I will try. I will try to lose weight)," Roque said.
During Monday night's Talk to the People address, Duterte poked fun at least twice at Gordon's weight.
“Ang advice ko sa iyo magpapayat ka muna para medyo...Nalilipong ako ‘pag nakikita kita (My advice to you is to lose weight first so that...I get confused whenever I see you),” Duterte said of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman, whom he assailed for the particular way that he conducts his hearings.
The Senate panel has been investigating the alleged procurement of overpriced medical supplies including personal protective equipment (PPE) last year amid the raging coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.