Duterte recently approved Proclamation No. 1107 which brings back the “special working holiday” for official holidays November 2, December 24, and December 31.
Netizens were quick to question the decision of the president to revert the official holidays to special working ones.
But what infuriates some celebrities and netizens is how Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque defended his boss.
According to Roque, the reason why the government has decided to make those changes is because of a year-long vacation due to the pandemic.
A "YEAR-LONG VACATION"
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque had this to say after Malacañang's proclamation that November 2 and December 24 and 31 be declared as “special working holidays” in a bid to spur the economy was met with criticism. https://t.co/Jmqx1zN996 pic.twitter.com/jsyzHVAqwK
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) March 2, 2021
This remark from a public official drew only one emotion—anger. Because of how harsh Roque’s statement was, Agot Isidro claps back at the Secretary for claiming that Filipinos took a long vacation because of the lockdowns. According to Isidro, it was only Roque who took a break from the situation and what’s worse, amid the pandemic.
Former Survivor Philippines host, Kiko Rustia even called Roque demented to be able to say such a harsh statement. Rustia concluded that Roque does not care how people would judge him because he knows that Duterte will defend him.
Detached talaga sa realidad ang taong to.
Either that or taklesa at di lang talaga nagiisip kung ano lalabas sa dila nya.
Or wala lang talaga syang pakialam dahil sagot naman sya nung inutil.
Sa tingin ko yung pangatlo talaga ang sagot.
— kiko rustia (@kikorustia) March 2, 2021
Regarding what the spokesperson has said, journalist Barnaby Lo stressed the effects of the pandemic on Filipinos. If the spokesperson thinks that being quarantined inside of the house is considered a vacation, he must have forgotten that people lost jobs and were stressed about what they could do once they get sick. Moreover, education was put on hiatus because of the risks brought upon by COVID-19.
People lost jobs, have been stressed out about the thought of getting sick, don’t know what lies ahead, children not learning and just burned out in general from being confined in 4 corners – but okay, government main spox thinks lockdown is vacation. https://t.co/CSh2mQasUy
— Barnaby Lo 吳宗鴻 (@barnabychuck) March 2, 2021
The inconsideration of Roque really astounded netizens. In fact, blogger Flowell Galindez was sarcastically ashamed of Filipinos having a vacation during the pandemic, as per Roque’s statement.
Huwaw sa bakasyon. Hiyang hiya ako dun ha https://t.co/sLrLToJHmV
— flow galindez (@FlowGalindez) March 2, 2021
Meanwhile, some netizens tried to shed some light on the Secretary. @mochakatekat stressed that Filipinos did not have a vacation at home. Most workers were working from their homes. Additionally, the netizen also pointed that the government should have used other holidays rather than the ones that were dedicated to the family.
https://twitter.com/mochakatekat/status/1366701155393302529
@squeegool roasted Roque for thinking that Filipinos were vacationing during the pandemic. The netizen stressed that ordinary citizens came up with ways to have an income amidst the lockdown. Furthermore, the netizen said that the work-from-home setup is not a vacation.
https://twitter.com/squeegool/status/1366703964788428800
@MckMoiMoi was mad about Roque belittling workers who were working from their homes. The netizen also roasted the spokesperson who was spotted relaxing in Baguio, Boracay, and El Nido.
I won’t let this walnut reduce all of my WFH achievements and frustrations to a mere “vacation.”
Last time I checked, I am not the one seen in Baguio, Bora, and El Nido. Who’s on vacay now, you piece of walnut. https://t.co/ah83v1aCr8
— Kyle (@MckMoiMoi) March 2, 2021
A fellow netizen @tr1pnaut1k also pointed out that the one who is having the time of his life amidst the pandemic is none other than Roque. According to the netizen, it was the spokesperson who was spotted having a photo op with dolphins and singing in a karaoke bar during an onslaught of a typhoon.
https://twitter.com/tr1pnaut1k/status/1366648901407707136?s=20
According to Roque’s defense, Proclamation No. 1107 was signed in haste by Duterte because it was the economic team who advised it. Though there were many against it, still, with his next sentence, “Halos isang taon na tayong nagbakasyon dahil sa COVID-19,” it only added fuel to the fire.
