Roque says he disagrees with Antiporda on remark vs UP experts

MANILA, Philippines — While noting that Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda already apologized for his remarks, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Thursday he disagrees with the former’s statement that experts from the University of the Philippines have “no right” to criticize the Manila Bay makeover project.

“UP has a new charter. It is really a partner of the government and that is why I had to distance. In fact, I will go to the extent of, I disagree with the statement of Usec. Antiporda but he has already apologized for it,” Roque said in an online briefing.

“Nasa batas po yan na talagang partner natin ang UP bilang isang national university and as a professor of 15 years in UP, ginawa din po namin ang katungkulan namin para tulungan ang gobyerno,” he added.

(That’s under the law that we are partners with UP as a national university and as a professor of 15 years in UP, we also did what we had to do to help the government.)

Antiporda on Wednesday said experts from UP have “no right” to criticize the Manila Bay project and branded them as “bayaran” for receiving millions in consultation fees.

The environment official has since apologized, saying he was carried away by his emotions.

Dr. Laura David, Director of UP’s Marine Science Institute (MSI) meanwhile said it is part of the university and scientists’ mandate to inform the public and share their research.

Previously, the UP MSI said overlaying a small portion of Manila Bay with crushed dolomite is only a “beautification effort that is costly and temporary.”

/MUF