Several Netizens have questioned the veracity of Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque’s claim about his infection of COVID-19.
Roque, on Monday, March 15, claimed to have been positive for the COVID-19 virus. The Presidential mouthpiece who continues to attend to Palace briefing also claimed that he’s asymptomatic and currently in an isolation facility.
However, several Netizens noticed that Roque during the briefing looked like he’s not in a regular isolation center but a posh hotel.
In his tweet, Netizen @anthony_siy said that Roque is likely in a hotel with a draped-like curtain as his background.
“Look like hotel curtains to me.”
Look like hotel curtains to me https://t.co/OuhhcBUz0N
— bollard enjoyer, alipores #1 (@goodkidbikecity) March 16, 2021
@SylicoNgaAko also shared the observation. In his tweet, he shared a tweet from another netizen who said that Roque is at the Conrad Hotel Diplomatic suite.
“Positive. Positive si Roque na nasa Conrad Hotel Diplomatic suite raw. Sarap buhay ng baboy!”
Positive. Positive si Roque na nasa Conrad Hotel Diplomatic suite raw. Sarap buhay ng baboy! pic.twitter.com/K7NRkw7onZ
— #SyLicoNgaAko (@SyLicoNgaAko) March 16, 2021
Kapuso host Kiko Rustia also shared his reaction, detailing how Roque would have set-up his virtual briefing inside the Conrad Hotel.
“I also think that the footstool would match the angle of Roque in the video if he placed his laptop/device on top of it. Para di makita at ma-identify ang walls, Inusog para yung curtains lang ang kita sa background. Eh buking pa din!”
I also think that the footstool would match the angle of Roque in the video, if he placed his laptop/device on top of it.
Para di makita at ma-identify ang walls, Inusog para yung curtains lang ang kita sa background. Eh buking pa din! pic.twitter.com/RutH1NIj6I
— kiko rustia (@kikorustia) March 17, 2021
@Softcoffin meanwhile slammed Roque for claiming that he’s in an isolation facility despite the hotel-like curtain as his background, which cost more than triple than an average Filipino earns for a living.
“Today in the Philippines, where the average Filipino makes $5-10 a day, the Presidential Spokesperson is quarantining in a $300 per night hotel room while claiming he’s in an isolation center. This is the mouthpiece of the president: a motherfucking liar.”
Today in the Philippines, where the average Filipino makes $5-10 a day, the presidential spokesperson is quarantining in a $300 per night hotel room while claiming he's in an isolation center. This is the mouthpiece of the president: a motherfucking liar. https://t.co/JXidFycwfi
— mas.to/@softcoffin (@S0FTC0FFIN) March 16, 2021
Following the online backlash, Roque denied allegations that he’s in a posh hotel. He claimed that he has no means to pay for it.
According to Roque, social media painted fake whereabouts, but in reality, he’s just in the San Juan isolation facility on Annapolis Street.
“That [I was in a posh hotel] is fake news. I am in San Juan [city], along Annapolis street.
“We don’t even have the means to pay for that hotel [in Pasay]. Hindi naman po ako nasa motel. (I am not in a motel). This is a two-star hotel,” he declared.
Meanwhile, prior to the isolation facility issue, Roque was also asked about his COVID-19 positive result. Many Netizens also doubted the claim saying Roque had too many lies that his own COVID claim could be one of them.
Roque however declined and turn down the request saying it is not important.
“Bakit naman gusto nila? I don’t understand that, but let me see if I have it. Hindi ko maintindihan why I have to show it actually. Anyway, I don’t think it’s important.”
