National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa believes that Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque‘s admittance to the Philippine Government Hospital (PGH) did not displace any citizen.
During an interview with One PH on Tuesday, April 13, Herbosa recalled his time as PGH head of the emergency department. He said that his unit made sure that the hospital accommodated those who were serving in the government.
“He (Roque) is the Spokesperson. He is a Cabinet secretary. Noong ako po ay head ng emergency department of Philippine General Hospital, syempre we afford a special condition to people who serve in government,” said Herbosa.
“Parang suklian na naman natin yun–senator siya, congressman siya. Pag tumawag ‘yan, tinutulungan naming ma-facilitate,” he added.
His following statement then received criticism from Netizens.
“To me, wala namang na-displace na citizen nung na-admit siya. In fact, ang ginive-up na parang room ay room for our healthcare workers, which means hindi naman masyadong nag-i-infect na yung healthcare workers,” said Herbosa.
A twitter personality relayed the explanation of Herbosa in Layman’s term: VIP. With that being said, the Netizen expressed his disgust as Herbosa justified Roque’s special admittance at PGH.
In short, VIP. Yuck. https://t.co/WohEwAj4bf
— jp✖️ plus why (@dumidyeypee) April 14, 2021
Writer Kristoffer Pasion aired his resentment of Herbosa. Pasion said, “May mga tao talagang buhay pa pero nasusunog na sa impyerno.”
May mga tao talagang buhay pa pero nasusunog na sa impyerno.
— Kristoffer Pasion (@indiohistorian) April 14, 2021
With Herbosa stating that PGH found a way for Roque to receive immediate care, twitter personality Ryan questioned why ordinary citizens cannot exercise what the Spokesperson has.
Meron palang mga available rooms, then why are people having hard time just to be accomodated and admitted? They are even being rejected and are dying not receiving any medical attention? Nagawan ng paraan si Roque pero hindi kayang gawan ng paraan pag mga ordinaryong Pilipino? https://t.co/MWY9B85NgG
— Ryan (@rryyyaaaannnn) April 14, 2021
The twitter personality’s question was then answered by a Netizen.
The Netizen pointed out that though there were many patients lined up in the hospital, Roque has the connections to jump the line—being a government official.
Bakit ‘yung mga nakapila, hindi nagawan ng paraan? Eh kasi wala silang kapit. ‘Yun lang ‘yun eh, wag ka na magpalusot. https://t.co/hQa6MqCbnl
— Michael (@rollyoaks) April 14, 2021
Writer Paolo Chikiamco emphasized the injustices that happened during Roque’s admittance. While ordinary Filipinos are waiting in line to receive medical care, the Secretary cut the line and had a hospital bed.
With these obvious privileges that Roque has, Chikiamco concluded that there was no way for the PGH to make everything possible—it was by force.
How?
(1) They let him cut the line -> injustice
(2) They added a bed just for him -> bed could have been given to next in line -> injusitce
(3) There was no line at PGH -> others were waiting at other hospitals -> injusticeWalang "paraan." Puwersahan lang. https://t.co/71yeMQc3Lb
— Paolo Chikiamco (@anitero) April 14, 2021
Cinematographer Nor Domingo refuted Herbosa’s statement. Domingo said that the statement from the NTF adviser was evident that Roque received special treatment. That is why the public criticized the government for it.
https://twitter.com/nordomingo/status/1382269805839974402
For Columnist Katrina Stuart Santiago, the government prioritized Roque over ordinary citizens.
Because their lives are more important than the lives of all our friends, loved ones, colleagues, mentors who missed a chance at LIVING because #Roque got ahead in line? Nakakatuwa naman. https://t.co/1i3SaZJiae
— katrinastuartsantiago (@radikalchick) April 14, 2021
Twitter personality CedMD highlighted how Herbosa’s response proved that some government officials are self-serving. The Netizen further stressed that it should be the people who need it more than these officials. With Roque’s admittance, the Netizen condemned the government for it.
Shows how self-serving these officials are, hindi kayo Diyos. Kahit bali-baliktarin ninyo, hindi kayo dapat nauuna sa mga pasyente mas nangangailangan. Napakasahol ng gubyernong to. https://t.co/C4Hgsvu8vx
— CedMD (@CedMD17) April 14, 2021
Harry Roque contracted the deadly Covid-19 on April 10 and was brought to PGH immediately.
During his Monday press briefing, Roque considered a question “un-Christian” after reporters asked how he was confined at a hospital despite being at full capacity.
The following day, Roque denied that he received special treatment from PGH but because of how he was in a “bad shape” thus his immediate admittance.
“I can assure you na gaya ng lahat ng hospital, ang basis for admission kailangan moderate and severe cases. Sa aking kaso, I was in bad shape when I was admitted,” Roque said.
