Año sees ‘obvious lapses’ in Pacquiao, Roque mass gatherings

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday said that there were “obvious lapses” in the implementation of COVID-19 protocols during the reported mass gatherings recently attended by presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and Senator Manny Pacquiao.

“Obviously, mayroong lapses pa rin dito. Kasi dapat talaga prepared ka sa ganyang event, dapat you do not ever allow people to violate [health rules] otherwise, stop the event right at that time,” Año said over CNN Philippines’ The Source, reacting to the highly-criticized events attended by the two government officials.

(Obviously, there are lapses here. Because we need to be prepared for these events, don’t allow people to violate health rules otherwise, you need to stop the event)

Año, however, said he has yet to receive the final report of the Philippine National Police’s investigation into the two controversial events.

“‘Yung formal report ni [PNP chief Police] General [Debold] Sinas wala pa sa table (I have yet to receive Sinas’ formal report.),” said Año.

PNP said it is already done with its investigation into the social gatherings involving Roque and Pacquiao. Sinas said they will submit their findings to Año within the week.

Roque was criticized on social media after photos of his attendance to an event in Cebu drew a thick crowd who largely ignored physical distancing measures.

The senator, meanwhile, was under fire after he was caught speaking to a crowd in Batangas, which also allegedly failed to observe social distancing.

EDV