Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque once again irritated Filipinos with his recent statement amid the circulating “fake news” about vaccinations that resulted in people flocking vaccination centers.
Duterte, on July 29, made a statement that authorities should not allow unvaccinated individuals to leave their houses.
“O etong mga ayaw magpabakuna, sinasabi ko sa inyo, wag kayong lumabas nang bahay. Kasi kapag lumabas kayo ng bahay, sabihin ko sa mga pulis, ibalik ka do’n sa bahay mo. You will be escorted back to your house. Because you are a walking spreader,” said Duterte.
But on Thursday, August 5, Roque denied Duterte’s statement and instead blamed it on those “fake news spreaders.”
“Tingin ko may mga nagpapakalat ng fake news. Meron talagang walang matinong ginagawa sa buhay nila… ewan ko ba kung bakit hindi pa sila ma-Covid,” Roque stated.
But another denial from the Government did not sit well on some personalities.
TV personality Justin Dizon noted that the primary source of fake news was the Government since Duterte ordered that unvaccinated individuals are not allowed to leave their homes during the ECQ.
Dizon also criticized how the Administration gives out “illogical” and “stupid” policies for Filipinos to follow.
Dizon referred to Roque in his final criticism, concluding that the Secretary will not win as a senator in the upcoming elections.
Unang-una sa lahat, kayo ang source ng disinformation. Sa bibig mismo ng boss mo nanggaling na bawal lumabas ang mga walang bakuna.
Pangalawa, kayo itong nagbibigay ng mga illogical at stupid policies.
Pangatlo, hindi ka mananalong senador next year at pupulutin ka sa putikan. https://t.co/Bqttc26nVZ
— Justin Dizon (@iamjustindizon) August 5, 2021
Journalist JC Punongbayan reiterated that Duterte made the order not to allow citizens who are yet to receive their Covid-19 vaccinations.
E sino ba nagpakalat ng tsismis na di palalabasin ng bahay ang di bakunado???? GAHD. #DutertePalpak https://t.co/YdI7u9yODj
— JC Punongbayan, PhD (@jcpunongbayan) August 5, 2021
Twitter personality Jai Cabajar highlighted that the government is “putting the blame on people” because of their unorganized vaccination system.
Cabajar also shared his observation as he lambasted government officials such as Roque, who easily got their vaccine jabs.
Once again putting the blame on people when we have long been advocating for them to show up! Ayusin niyo po kaya yung bakunahan? Palibhasa ang dali niyo kasing nakuha yung mga bakunang binibigay sa inyo kaya akala niyo ang dali din para sa buong Pilipinas. Napaka out of touch. https://t.co/iQFpOC4wVz
— Jai Cabajar (@jaicabajar) August 5, 2021
Journalist Inday Espina Varona explained two possible reasons why people are flocking to the vaccination center. Because of the misinformation, people fear that they might not receive government support during the lockdown; and two, because of the President’s threat.
Misinformation can be deadly. (Thread)
Some believed fake claim that unvaccinated peeps would not get ayuda (aid).
Others believed Duterte’s threat that only the vaccinated would be allowed outside homes. And workers were scared of a no vax-no job policy. https://t.co/lQepdr4O7N— inday espina varona (@indayevarona) August 5, 2021
A Twitter personality even urged other Filipinos to ensure that Roque will not revive his reputation after Duterte’s term.
It will take our collective effort to make sure Harry Roque doesn’t rehabilitate his reputation after Duterte https://t.co/hG4xlgv68A
— Lakan (@jacques_lakan) August 5, 2021
As of this moment, over 10 million Filipinos have been vaccinated against the deadly Covid-19 and the much deadlier Delta variant.
