After Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque berated health workers during a pandemic task force meeting on Tuesday, September 7, Kapamilya actress-philanthropist Angel Locsin-Arce wrote via Instagram on Thursday, September 9, “To those who can’t go & console family & friends fighting their battles alone.
“I feel you. I wish for you to overcome whatever it is you are going through.
“This crisis has made me realize that the world can work without politicians, businessmen, police, and even without actors like me. but the world can never work without health workers.
“Again, thank you for all that you do. Sending everyone strength, hope, and love.”
The post is perhaps Locsin’s way of neutralizing the blow and saluting the contributions of health workers in the country, most especially.
Inquirer obtained a video that made the rounds online and showed Roque raising his voice and repeatedly pointing his finger as he berated a medical experts’ group for opposing the Government’s planned shift to granular lockdowns from region-wide quarantine classifications.
“We employed the ‘entire government approach’ thinking about economic ramifications, thinking about the people [who] will go hungry. It does not mean that we care any less,” Roque stated in the video.
Roque accused Limpin’s group of not saying anything good about the Duterte administration’s response to the pandemic.
His outburst was a reaction to the remarks made by Dr. Maricar Limpin, president of the Philippine College of Physicians. She was one of the health experts invited to the Zoom meeting held [right] before the government announced its decision to backtrack on downgrading Metro Manila to general community quarantine (GCQ) with a pilot implementation of a new localized lockdown system.
From September 8th through 15th, Metro Manila (NCR) is still placed under modified enhance community quarantine (MECQ).
He reasoned that the Philippines is not the only country experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the spread of the feared Delta variant.
Limpin, on the other hand, heads the umbrella organization with over 9,000 members nationwide. She is also a convenor of the Healthcare Professional Alliance Against COVID-19.
In an interview with Rappler, September 10, she expressed her dismay toward Roque, “As a government official, a spokesperson at that, I don’t expect him to do scold me when all that I’m trying to do is to help alleviate the government, alleviate the plight of the healthcare system.
On August 23, Malacañang appealed to the country’s nurses and other healthcare workers not to resign, assuring they will soon receive their special risk allowance (SRA) as early as next week.
However, Roque’s reaction might somehow dampen further the spirits of health workers.
“As a government official, a spokesperson at that, I don’t expect him to do scold me when all that I’m trying to do is to help alleviate the government, alleviate the plight of the healthcare system.
“If Secretary Roque can do this to us doctors, what more for other people?” Limpin said.
Former expert consultant of the task force, Tony Leachon, demanded an apology from Roque.
“These are physician leaders who are fighting for the rights of the Filipino healthcare workers. This bullying and harsh behavior must stop. We deserve an apology.”
Senator Leila de Lima (@SenLeiladeLima) tweeted, “In the time of COVID, it is not wise to berate doctors and health care workers who are risking their lives to save our loved ones from the virus 24/7. Harry Roque should step down if he cannot be as useful, but is arrogant enough to think he is above them.”
Locsin wrote, she stressed that the health workers as frontliners during this COVID-19 pandemic won’t be the same without these health professionals.
Other celebrities agree with Locsin, the real-life superhero’s post.
Iza Calzado, an award-winning actress, reacted to the former Darna star by putting three heart emojis.
Dimples Romana, on the other hand, expressed her love and support toward Neil Arce’s wife.
Ramona Thornes, the account of Arci Muñoz, also reacted to Locsin’s post by leaving a heart emoji.
While three other celebrities, Eula Valdes, Pocholo Barretto, and Agot Isidro also agreed with the former star of the series, The General’s Daughter (2019).
