Roque apologizes to Duterte over ‘perpetual isolation’ remark

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. AFP FILE PHOTO / NOEL CELIS

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday apologized to President Rodrigo Duterte over his “perpetual isolation” remark, admitting it was a “wrong choice of words.”

“Bagamat makikita ko po si Presidente mamaya, baka wala po akong pagkakataon, I’d like to publicly apologize to the President for past mistakes I had last Monday lalong lalo na po doon sa sinabi kong perpetual isolation. Wrong choice of words po,” Roque said in an online Palace briefing.

(Although I will see the President later, I might not have a chance, [so] I’d like to publicly apologize to the President for the past mistakes I had last Monday especially on what I said about perpetual isolation. It was the wrong choice of words.)

“What I meant was that the Presidential Security Group has been doing a good job at ensuring that there is social distancing between anyone who wants to talk to the President. Pasensya po [So sorry],” he added.

Last week, Roque assured that the President’s health was fine and consistently underwent regular COVID-19 testing while kept in “perpetual isolation.”

Roque said it was only a “figure of speech” to underscore the Presidential Security Group’s prudence in safeguarding the President amid the pandemic.

JPV