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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Duterte asks Roque how he got COVID-19: 'I sense no difference in your deportment'

Duterte asks Roque how he got COVID-19: 'I sense no difference in your deportment'

Published Mar 15, 2021 11:58 pm

President Duterte is curious to find out how his spokesman got infected with the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte

The President asked Secretary Harry Roque about his health condition during a meeting with top government officials on pandemic response in Malacañang Monday night.

Roque, who announced Monday that he tested positive for COVID-19, did not physically attend the meeting with the President and instead participated through video conference.

"Harry bakit ka nagka-positive? (Harry, why did you test positive)," Duterte asked the COVID-stricken Roque during his pre-recorded remarks aired on state television.

Roque admitted to the President that he was actually still trying to figure out how he got the infection.

He mentioned though he visited a number of hospitals in recent days for the vaccine rollout.

"Ewan ko po pero binibilang ko po kung saan ko posibleng nakuha pero sumama po ako sa rollout ng vaccination sa PGH (Philippine General Hospital), sa Vicente Sotto, sa Southern Philippines, sa Laoag Medical at saka Roque Ablan (I don't know but I'm counting where I could possibly got it. I joined the vaccination rollout at PGH, Vicente Sotto, Southern Philippines, Laoag Medical and Roque Ablan)," Roque told the President.

Duterte commented that he noticed there was no change in Roque's demeanor despite his illness.

"I sense no difference in your deportment," he told his spokesman.

Roque assured the President that he continues to perform his duties, including holding regular press briefings, despite his COVID-19 infection.

But he said he opted to go into isolation to avoid infecting other people.

Duterte then asked Roque if he was able to validate his COVID-19 illness.

Roque informed the President he took two COVID-19 tests and got positive results.

The Palace official earlier said he was shocked and surprised when he learned he tested positive for coronavirus.

He said he has not shown symptoms of the illness but would go into isolation.

Roque also started to track down his close contacts in the past few days, especially since he visited a number of places.

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